People traffickers to face life in jail

NEW measures aimed at human trafficking gangs were unveiled yesterday, including possible life imprisonment for anyone caught involved in people smuggling.

The new National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking was published yesterday by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.

He said the measures, some of which are already in force, would bring Ireland into line with its international obligations, allowing for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.