Trafficking trial jury sequestered

The jury in the trial of a man accused of trafficking illegal immigrants into Ireland more than two years ago has been sent to a hotel overnight.

Mr Olaitan Ilori of Oak Drive, Blessington, Co Wicklow, has pleaded not guilty that between March 1 and October 27, 2004, he organised or knowingly facilitated the entry into the State on October 27, 2004, of 14 Mauritian nationals, whom he knew or had reasonable cause to believe were illegal immigrants.

Judge Martin Nolan told the jury to return a verdict of not guilty by direction of the trial judge on two of the charges faced by Mr Ilori.

The offences related to two Mauritian children who travelled with the 12 adults to Dublin Airport.

Judge Nolan sent the jury to the hotel after it had been considering the verdict for almost three hours on day-11 of the trial.

The seven men and five women will resume their deliberations tomorrow.