Man acquitted of people trafficking
A former RDS carpark attendant has been found not guilty of people trafficking at Dublin Airport more than two years ago.
It took the jury in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court half an hour to acquit David Gaffney (aged 24) of facilitating the transport of illegal immigrants into Ireland and returned a not guilty verdict by direction of the judge on a second count of holding a false employment confirmation letter.
Mr Gaffney of Dorset Street, Dublin 1, had pleaded not guilty to both charges on dates between December 20, 2006 and January 5, 2007 and told gardaí in interview that he was "unaware" the six Egyptian men he arranged to pick up from the airport were not supposed to be in Ireland.
He said an RDS co-worker, known as "Baha", organised the airport "meet and greet" job and promised him €500 for the day with the possibility of similar future work.
Judge Frank O’Donnell thanked the seven women and five men of the jury for completing their "essential role" in the judicial system.
