Posted by A shopkeeper caught selling counterfeit designer fashion accessories had been “desperate to keep her business afloat” when it “fell off a cliff” during the Covid pandemic, a court has heard.
Algie Cheung (65) had a “large quantity” of imitation Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Hermes handbags, purses and jewellery in her Dublin city centre store when Gardaí raided itThe DPP had directed the case could be dealt with at district court level.
The accused, from Hong Kong, had been living in Ireland for many years and had never been in trouble before, her solicitor Peter Connolly said.
She ran a shop and designed jewellery and her business “fell off a cliff” during Covid.
She had been “desperate to keep her business afloat”, Mr Connolly said.
At the time of the offences, a member of the Chinese community approached her and offered her items for sale.
She regretted her conduct which was a once-off mistake and “totally out of character”, the court heard.
Mr Connolly asked the judge to be as lenient as he could.
The judge said he would take into account the assistance the accused gave the gardaí and her previous good character.
He fined her €500 on each charge.
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