Garda caught three Afghans, including a teenager, for illegally entering Ireland

DUBLIN: Gardai caught three Afghans yesterday, including a teenager inside a trailer. In addition to the 16-year-old, 20 and 22-year-olds boarded the trailer and arrived in Dublin. No information has been released on how they got into it.

The driver of the trailer informed the garda following an alert from a motorist that a loud noise was being heard from inside the container. A subsequent search found three people inside the trailer.

The incident took place on Nangor Road to nearby Park West in Clondalkin, west Dublin, Garda arrived at the nearest Ballyfermot Station and opened the trailer. All three had documents showing that they were Afghan citizens.

Garda said the truck arrived on Monday from a ferry at Rosslare Port. All three were taken to the Garda Ballyfermot station, where they had a meal and a doctor was called. No significant injuries or health problems were reported, station sources said.

The services of an interpreter have also been sought to assist Gardai and other authorities. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was informed in relation to the care of the teen. All three were given accommodation. It is not yet known if any of them have claimed asylum. The driver has not been arrested but details have been taken from him. Gardai stated that they would try to trace their route after taking statements from the Afghans.

According to the report, the truck arrived at Park West after arriving in the country via Rosslare Port. It says the trailer was taken into custody for technical inspection. The Garda headquarters said in an earlier statement that it was investigating immigration crimes in Clondalkin.

Organised human trafficking is taking place on a daily basis from Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and some countries in the Gulf region, to European countries, including Ireland. There are indications that the Afghan youths caught yesterday may have arrived as part of this.