A human trafficking investigation is underway after 14 people were found inside a refrigerated container arriving on a Rosslare-bound ferry on Monday.
Ten Kurds (including two children) from Iran and Iraq, three Vietnamese nationals and one Turkish national were found on board the ship, which was sailing from Zebrugge in the Netherlands to Ireland.
Cornwall Police received a distress call from a Kurdish woman inside the container, and the captain ordered a search of the vessel, which was moored at Rosslare Europort at 3am on Monday.
The migrants are currently in the custody of the International Protected Accommodation Service (IPAS). Tusla is also involved.
The investigation is being led by the Garda in Wexford and supported by the Garda National Immigration Service.
It also works with police and customs in the UK, France and the Netherlands, as well as Europol and Interpol.
Gardaí are interviewing migrants with the help of interpreters.
Investigators are trying to determine where they entered the refrigerated container, which was loaded south of Paris and taken to a port in the Netherlands.
They are believed to have cut a hole in the trailer to extract oxygen, as the justice minister said it was “coincident” that no one was killed.
The former president of the Irish Road Haulage Association told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the 14 people were loaded onto a trailer by a “very professional gang”.
Eugene Drennan said the truck had been loaded south of Paris and had come north, and may have been chosen because it had an Irish number plate.
“Traditionally Irish lorries would have come on the short route between Dover and Calais, so perhaps it was believed that they were bound for England and for the direct ferry,” he says.
Mr Drennan said those who were hiding in the trailer during the trip “appeared to have been able to hack their way out for some air”.
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He said he was lucky that the truck was on the upper deck of the ferry and he was able to call for help.
Mr Drennan said he believed 14 people were loaded into the trailer while the driver was taking a mandatory break.
Transport Secretary Eamonn Ryan told the same program that all measures must be taken to prevent refugees from being smuggled into countries because the journey is deadly.
He said he understood the desperate situation of people making these journeys and that Ireland must uphold human rights and manage the rights of refugees to the best of its national capacity.
“The Government is working with communities across the country to ensure that no particular area is overburdened, but closing the door and saying Ireland is full is not a viable, correct or appropriate response. do not have.”
The minister said the government needs to set up large-scale centers where the state can provide facilities instead of relying on private facilities.
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He said a medium- to long-term plan was needed that was safe and respectful of local communities.
“A ruthless act for profit” – Howlin
Wexford Labor TD Brendan Howlin said 14 people were locked up in a trailer in a “callous act for profit”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Deputy First Minister Howlin said new infrastructure in Rosslare, due to be completed at the end of next year, would greatly improve testing.
“This lawn was transformed in October last year at a development cost of €170 million to install permanent customs facilities, revenue facilities and a new fixed scanner for incoming containers.
“If everything is in place by the end of next year, the situation will improve significantly.”
dangerous act
Minister Helen McEntee said: “I am extremely concerned to learn that 14 people, including two children, were found in a refrigerated truck at Rosslare Port on Monday and would like to thank the first responders.” said.
“Thankfully, we know that everyone is in good health.
“We know from past experience that similar situations have led to tragic deaths. This is an extremely dangerous job and it is just a coincidence that the same thing did not happen yesterday. ”
“An Garda Síochána is investigating this matter in cooperation with our international partners.
“I would appeal to anyone with information that could assist with the ongoing investigation to contact An Garda Síochána.”
Local independent councilor Gar Carthy said a multi-agency response was launched after one of the people inside the trailer raised the alarm.
Mr Carthy, the National Ambulance Service’s operational resource manager, said many migrants making such trips believed they were simply traveling to the UK.
He told Morning Ireland: “The forecast is for it to go into the UK, but it’s a 30-hour journey to Rosslare Europort and it could have been a very different outcome.”
He said such incidents could occur more frequently in the future as port capacity has increased significantly since Brexit and more people seek refuge amid ongoing crises around the world. said.
“There will continue to be more issues, but we have a very robust immigration system and we actually have immigration staff at the ports, so they will identify these issues in the future. I look forward to that,” he said.
“But I think this should alert the government. You know that with the current crisis around the world, things like this are going to happen more and more.”
“Humanitarian response”
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the 14 people could choose to apply for asylum or leave the country voluntarily.
“Our first response is always humane and to check if they are alive and healthy. And it is my understanding that they are alive,” he said. .
“Our next step is to facilitate voluntary repatriation, meaning they can return home if they want to.
“If they choose to apply for asylum, they have a legal right to do so and we will work to process their applications as quickly as possible.”