Child victim of human trafficking held pending garda probe

A Vietnamese boy suspected of having been brought to Ireland by human traffickers is to remain in custody pending a continued Garda probe into his background.

Samples of his fingerprints are to be sent to the Vietnamese embassy in London in the hope it can shed light on his identity, the Children’s Court was told today.

The teenage boy, an unaccompanied minor, believed to be aged 16, is in Ireland without parents and has no passport.

He had been remanded in custody earlier this month following his arrest for a burglary at Galtimore Road, in Drimnagh, Dublin, on June 2 and failing to produce identity documents within seven days of arriving in the State, under the Immigration Act.

The court has heard he left Vietnam with his parents in early childhood; travelled to Russia and several other European states before arriving in Ireland, after “money changed hands” with an “agent.”

His silence over how he came to be in Ireland was a result of being in fear and it is believed he was “a victim of human trafficking.”

Judge Patrick McMahon was told today by prosecuting Garda Darren Coller that a group of people arrived at the courthouse that morning claiming to be the boy’s family. However, when he tried to question them about their relationship to the boy they left immediately.

And the court has heard that Garda Coller’s station has been receiving suspicious phone calls from people making enquiries about the boy.

Interpol has been contacted to find out if he is on its missing children’s list but that enquiry has “turned up blank,”

Garda Darren Coller sought a further two-week remand to allow for the boy’s finger prints samples to be sent to the Vietnamese embassy in London to see if it can assist.

The garda has said: “He says he was brought in by an agent I am concerned may be using him for other purposes. I have a fear that if he does get out harm will come to him.”

Judge McMahon reiterated yesterday that the person best able to assist the court’s inquiry was the teen himself. However, he noted from defence solicitor Sarah Molloy that the boy “may be in fear.”

He noted that Health Service Executive’s Unaccompanied Minor’s section could provide accommodation but said the care placement would not be secure and could not guarantee his safety or prevent him leaving.

Refusing bail Judge McMahon said his concern was for the boy’s safety and in particular over a link to human trafficking. He said that in the circumstances it would be “remiss” of the court to release the boy.

He further remanded the teenager in custody to St Patrick’s Institution to allow the gardai make their enquiries to the Vietnamese embassy in London to verify his identity.