Newry man facing extradition after being charged in connection with deaths of 39 migrants
Last updated 1st Nov 2019
A Co Down man is facing extradition from Ireland in connection with the deaths of 39 migrants found in the back of a lorry in Essex.
The man, in his 20s, from Newry, appeared in Dublin High Court today (Friday) after he was arrested on a European Arrest Warrant.
The force said extradition proceedings have been started to bring him to the UK.
He was remanded in custody in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, until November 11, a court spokesman said.
It comes as local media reported police in Vietnam's Ha Tinh province arrested two people in connection with the deaths after launching an investigation into suspected human trafficking.
The discovery has sparked a huge international investigation to try to identify the victims.
Essex Police initially believed the 39 were all Chinese nationals but it is now thought Vietnamese men and women are among the dead.
It is not yet known when the victims entered the trailer, where temperatures can be as low as -25C if the fridge is activated, or the exact route it travelled before crossing from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet