Gardaí have commenced a human trafficking investigation following the discovery of 14 people in a shipping container arriving in Rosslare Europort.
Gardaí were alerted by UK authorities in advance and a co-ordinated plan was put in place with emergency services in Wexford in anticipation of their arrival to the port.
The nine men, three women and two girls have been assessed by medical personnel and have been deemed to be in good health.
One of the people had raised the alarm by calling the UK’s 999 service, which diverted the call to Ireland and emergency services were in the port when the ship docked.
The seaport handles passengers and freight from the UK and Europe, including France and Spain.
Gardaí attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all of the circumstances of this incident. They are liaising closely with international counterparts through Europol in The Hague.
The ship’s crew are assisting An Garda Síochána with these enquiries.
Wexford TD Brendan Howlin said the incident heightened awareness of what needed to be done “to ensure that we don't face that again, because somebody put these people into a refrigerated truck.
Anyone with any information in relation to this incident, no matter how insignificant it may appear, is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station 053-9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 66 11 or any Garda Station.
