22/11/2019

16 Men Found Inside Trailer Onboard Stenaline Ferry

An investigation has been launched following the alleged discovery of a number of people inside a trailer onboard a commercial ferry.

At approximately 9:45am yesterday, Thursday 21st November, the Captain of the Stena Horizon Ferry, sailing from Cherbourg to Rosslare overnight, alerted Gardaí that a number of people had been discovered in the trailer of an articulated tractor unit on the vehicle deck.

Staff on the Ferry, with the assistance of the driver, opened the trailer unit and 16 males were removed and brought to a private lounge where they received immediate medical and welfare care.

The Stena Horizon docked at Rosslare at approximately 2.40pm this afternoon and was met by Gardaí, Immigration Officers and medical staff. All 16 males were medically assessed by doctors and ambulance personnel on the ferry and are assessed to be in general good health.

Gardaí believe that all the men are of Middle Eastern origin and are adults, but Gardaí continue to confirm the age of one man who may be a juvenile.

Garda Immigration Officers attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are now processing the men under immigration legislation. After initial enquiries they will be transferred to a reception centre organized by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) where they will be provided for all their welfare concerns. This has been a traumatic experience for these men and they are being treated with sympathy and compassion.

The articulated lorry was photographed and examined on the ferry and has now been removed to a secure location for further technical examination.

The articulated lorry (tractor and trailer) are owned by a local Irish based company. The owners are co-operating fully with the ongoing investigation. The driver is a male in his 50's, resident of Ireland for over 25 years and he is co-operating fully with the ongoing investigation.

An Garda Síochána continue to investigate all the circumstances of this incident.

(MH/JG)

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