GARDAÍ HAVE LAUNCHED a “people smuggling investigation” following the discovery of two males hiding while travelling on a ferry arriving into Co Wexford in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Two other men – the driver and a passenger in the van – were arrested by gardaí for an alleged offence under the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act, 2021.

Both men, aged in their 30s, were detained at a Garda Station in Wexford/ Wicklow Garda Division and have since been released without charge, pending further investigations and the submission of a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardaí said that the two males allegedly smuggled into the port were discovered by the ship’s crew during the voyage.

The two were attempting to conceal themselves in a small commercial vehicle according to gardaí.

Gardaí were alerted in advance of the arrival of the vessel to Ireland.

“Both males were in good health and received any necessary state supports,” a Garda spokesperson added.

Gardaí attached to the Immigration Unit and supported by the Serious Crime Hub in the Wexford-Wicklow Garda Division are investigating all of the circumstances of this incident. Investigations will involve liaison with international counterparts.

The Garda spokesperson appealed for anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact Wexford Garda Station 053-9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.