Lorry deaths: suspect brothers ‘on run from people smugglers’
THE two brothers wanted by Essex police for questioning in relation to the deaths of 39 migrants are on the run from senior figures of a people smuggling gang, it is understood.
Ronan and Christopher Hughes have been in hiding since last week, when Essex Police said they were persons of interest in connection to the manslaughter of 39 mostly Vietnamese nationals.
A security source has told The Telegraph that individuals high up in a gang believed to be linked to people smuggling sought to intercept them before they handed themselves into the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
It is not clear if the brothers are involved in any people smuggling gangs themselves, but it is understood they may have information connected to the alleged human trafficking incident which led to the deaths of 39 people found in a lorry in Essex. It comes as eight people were arrested by Vietnamese police in connection with the deaths.
The brothers have a haulage and logistics business in Co Armagh. It is believed that they are currently in Co Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland.
‘[Ronan and Christopher], we need you both to come forward and assist us with this investigation’
The senior members of the gang are said to be extremely violent individuals with links to dissident paramilitaries.
The Irish Independent reported on Sunday that An Garda Síochána [Irish police] warned a Northern Irishman detained in relation to the deaths that there was a credible threat to his life.
Eamonn Harrison, 23, was arrested in Dublin Port on Oct 26. It is alleged that Mr Harrison was driving the truck that delivered the trailer carrying the 39 migrants to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. That truck has been linked to a company owned by Ronan Hughes.
Mr Harrison was originally detained in relation to a separate charge, but was arrested on a European Arrest Warrant last Friday.
British police want to extradite Mr Harrison on 41 charges including 39 counts of manslaughter, one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking and one charge of conspiracy to assist in unlawful immigration.
Det Chief Insp Daniel Stoten issued a public appeal to Ronan and Christopher Hughes to hand themselves in, saying: “We need you both to come forward and assist this investigation.”
Maurice Robinson, 25, of Laurel Drive, Craigavon, was arrested after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were found in a refrigerated container at the Waterglade Retail Park in Grays on Oct 23. He is alleged to have picked up the trailer from the port of Purfleet.