Three children among refugee victims Saturday, December 08 2001
Filed at: 10:59 PM

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Bodies of refugees found in a container in this truck

Bertie Ahern
Condemned those responsible
Three children were among the eight refugees whose bodies were found in a freight container in Wexford. The children, two boys and a girl, are thought to be aged between four and eleven years. One woman and four men also died in the tragedy.


Four other men and a women who were with them in the container are in intensive care in hospital. They are said to be in a serious condition.



Gardaí are now trying to identify the victims. Their bodies have been taken to Wexford General Hospital where post mortems will be carried out.



An international investigation is underway and the Taoiseach has said no effort would be spared to bring those responsible to justice. The Minister for Justice said that the inquiry would draw on the international police co-operation, which has been set up to counteract human trafficking.



John O'Donoghue was briefed by Gardaí in Wexford today. Mr O'Donoghue has expressed his shock and sadness at the tragedy.



At a press conference this evening a Garda spokesman said that the five surviving asylum seekers are in a very serious condition.



Superintendent John Farrelly said that three were in intensive care and one had been moved to a cardiac unit. The five, four men and a woman, are aged between 17 and 35 years old.



Gardaí have managed to communicate through an interpreter with one of the survivors – a 17-year-old man. Gardaí believe that he may be a Turkish national. State Pathologist Dr John Harbison is carrying out a preliminary examination of the container.



The freight container, which originated in Italy, was brought into Bellview Port in Waterford on Thursday. It was unloaded on Friday and brought to Drinagh Business Park, outside Wexford, this morning, where it was opened at 9.15am.



The Taoiseach said that he utterly condemned those responsible for this morning's tragedy. Bertie Ahern added that he wanted to sympathise with the relatives of the dead.



He said that the criminals involved in the cruel trade of trafficking in human beings have perpetrated yet another atrocity on the innocent victims of their greed.



The Taoiseach said that this incident made it clear, once again, that Ireland and its European partners must increase vigilance and share intelligence to ensure that the illegal trafficking is stopped.



Liz O'Donnell of the Progressive Democrats described this morning's discovery as "deeply shocking and tragic". Minister O'Donnell, who is Minister of State with special responsibility for Human Rights said that Ireland appears to have witnessed in the starkest terms, the huge dangers and risks attached to the trafficking of illegal immigrants. She extended her condolences to the bereaved.



Labour's Brendan Howlin said that the tragedy demonstrates the desperate lengths which people from deprived and repressive backgrounds are prepared to go to try and improve their circumstances. He said those involved in the trafficking of human beings must be brought to justice.



The Chief Executive of the Irish Refugee Council, Peter O'Mahony, said that Ireland has to work with European countries so people who need asylum can get into the asylum system. He added that today's awful discovery was inevitable.

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