SECOND MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN TRUCK DEATHS

LONDON A 40-year-old Irish trucker pleaded guilty on Friday to the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese men, women and boys found dead in the back of a refrigerated truck near London last year.

Ronan Hughes, pictured, became the second man to plead guilty over a case that shocked Britain and Vietnam and shone a light on the illicit human smuggling trade. The other is Maurice Robinson, from Northern Ireland, who was driving the truck.

Appearing at a full Old Bailey courtroom in London, Hughes stood facing the judge as the names of the 31 men and boys and eight women were read out. He admitted each charge in a process that took more than 10 minutes.

Hughes also admitted conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.

A third man, Eamonn Harrison, 23, also from Northern Ireland, is to stand trial Oct. 5.

Reuters