The Irish route has long been part of the many conduit corridors into the UK, I think our politicians are fully aware of it, but don't want it publicised as it will further confuse the hard border issue.
Hard border means less money and more risk of discovery for the various competing groups in Ireland. An old client of mine, ex RUC Sargeant (RT), told me that in 80% of the cases of "sectarian" violence was due to the fighting over drug sales areas... protection rackets and what have you........
It's an unorthodox route for freight to take probably adding a day to the journey.. Normal route would be Calais to Dover, but security has been tightened up. May of decided for less security issues Cherbourg or Roscoff over to Roselerre then up the road to Dublin then across to Hollyhead. Very sad for those who have died.
Latest update is police think the truck came over from Dublin to Hollyhead (usual ferry route)does a job then takes empty to Purfleet and then picks another full one up to deliver the trailer! The trailer came across unaccompanied to Purfleet (shunters at the departure port put the unaccompanied trls on the ferries and shunters at the receiving port Purfleet) take them off ready for collection by UK based drivers.
Further enquires have found it entered in Purfleet not via Holyhead. The driver being arrested is standard practice. Irish driver and truck but Bulgarian registered trailer, most probably he picked it up from the boat as a trailer change (drop 1 off pick another up). parked up for his rest break after he got the trailer. Can’t imagine how he feels if he was person who found the bodies. The police will quickly ascertain whether he knew they were there or not. Probably opening it up to check his load before putting a secure lock on so nothing gets stolen during the night.
That depends on notes etc in this instance it's a box trailer (solid sides and back and front. The trailer would be sealed at departure loading with the seal number recorded on paperwork then at delivery point seal is checked and broken by receipient and trailer unloaded. So driver does not see the contents
By all updated accounts he has been released no charges. It will take him a good while if ever to get over today that's for sure. By all accounts he only had the trailer for 35 minutes. Purfleet to the delivery point is probably less than 5 miles
At the end of the day someone has put those poor people in there. I have seen temperatures for these trailer type set as low as minus 25! Freezing and no air...doesnt bear thinking about
Yes. And I feel that’s totally wrong. The media are quick enough to put the name out there but often very slow to state when he is innocent
This is not the first time 30+ Chinese nationals have died in this way, is it ? At first I thought I must be reading an old report !
Driver still held contrary to earlier reports. 2 houses in Ireland raided owner of truck is Irish women!