Men charged with organised crime-related offences due in court

Two men have been charged with organised crime-related offences in Donegal.

The pair will be hauled before a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court this evening at 6.30pm.

The men were arrested on Tuesday morning and detained at Ballyshannon Garda station under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007.

The period of their detention was extended on Wednesday by a further 72 hours.

Gardai, alongside international colleagues, made the arrests as part of an investigating into the alleged trafficking of persons into Ireland for the purpose of labour exploitation.

Europol officers were in Donegal during the international Law Enforcement Operation, which involved a Joint Investigation Team, established in conjunction with Law Enforcement in Latvia.

An Garda Síochána’s Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit (HTICU) at GNPSB, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), Garda Mutual Assistance Section and the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) are all involved in the investigation.

Garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or labour exploitation to speak to a member of An Garda Síochána, either at your local garda station or call the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111

“An Garda Síochána understands that victims of these crimes may not always be in a position to report themselves, maybe there is opportunity to speak to a Garda who you might meet at any location.

“Importantly, An Garda Síochána  appeals to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects that any person is the victim of human trafficking to speak up, talk to a member of An Garda Síochána, either at your local garda station the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111 or to any members of An Garda Síochána.”