DUBLIN, Ireland: A healthcare assistant based in the UK was arrested after she admitted to helping smuggle a woman into Ireland using a fake Swedish "lookalike" document.

Muna Mohamed Sharif, 47, from Birmingham, was arrested at Dublin Airport on April 10 last year. She was kept in custody but allowed bail in principle, and later appeared in court again, where she pleaded guilty.

Her lawyer, Paddy Flynn, told the judge that she understood the charges and her guilty plea, but said she could not meet the bail conditions. The judge then sent the case to a higher court for sentencing, with the next hearing set for July 8. She was also granted legal aid.

She was charged under Irish law for helping someone enter or stay in the country illegally and for providing fake travel or identity documents. These offenses can carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

A police detective said Sharif did not respond when charged. Investigators believe she and the other woman went through immigration separately, but were noticed making eye contact. It was later found that Sharif had given the woman a Swedish lookalike document.

The court heard that Sharif admitted some involvement. Police also found messages on her phone showing communication with the real passport owner about a payment for using the document.

The woman who used the document is from Somalia and has now applied for asylum in Ireland.

During questioning, the detective agreed that Sharif has lived in the UK since 2002 and is a British citizen, but her passport has been taken. The officer said she cooperated but might not return to court if released.

Her lawyer argued that even though she does not have strong ties to Ireland, that alone should not prevent bail. He said she had friends in Ireland who could support her, but police doubted this, saying she was unclear about those connections.

The defense suggested her behavior showed inexperience and that she believed she was helping, but the detective disagreed. Police also seized cash from her, though the amount was not disclosed in court.