Lorry refugees told 'you can stay'

The survivors of the freight container tragedy that claimed the lives of eight refugees have been assured they can stay in Ireland.

The pledge was given by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

He says the five people who survived the ordeal in Co Wexford have suffered enough.

It has also become clear that all but two of the dead are from two families.

Mr Ahern said the discovery of the bodies and their seriously ill companions had been appalling and issued a strong condemnation of the trafficker gang responsible.

The Taoiseach added: "There is no doubt that the movement of people throughout Europe in the last few years is creating difficulties and problems in many countries.

"The best thing we can do for these people is to help in their own countries, as we are doing with overseas aid."

Mr Ahern said: "These people have suffered enough and any applications they make will be very sympathetically dealt with."

Earlier, Justice Minister John O'Donoghue stressed that there were provisions, even if the immigrants were not qualified for refugee status, for an order to be made to permit them to stay on humanitarian grounds.

He declared: "I have no intention of saying 'No room at the Inn' to these human beings."