Four Irishmen held on illegal labour charges in Gran Canaria

Four Irish citizens are currently being held in a prison in Grand Canaria on charges of employing illegal immigrants.

The four men were arrested along with two men from the UK and four others from Argentina.

They are accused of operating an illegal labour racket on the south east coast of the island, according to the Civil Guard headquarters in the capital, Las Palmas.

Hundreds of the immigrants come ashore on the coast in small boats that have carried them from Africa in search of a better life in the EU.

Local police said that the immigrants had been offered $50 (€38) a day and were given promises of work permits.

One group had been recruited to lay asphalt on private property.

The alleged racket came to light when a van carrying seven illegals and a number of the accused was stopped and searched.