Irish smuggling ringleader closes eyes as UK court hears container victims’ final calls

Maurice Robinson’s trailer and tractor unit, which was shown at the Old Bailey, London, during the trial Picture: Essex Police/PA

A ringleader of the people-smuggling ring responsible for the deaths of 39 migrants closed his eyes in the dock as his victims’ final agonising gasps were heard for the first time in court.

Monaghan man and leader of the people-smuggling ring, Ronan Hughes, joined seven other defendants at the UK Central Criminal Court to be sentenced for their role in the “sophisticated long-running” operation which ended in tragedy on October 23, 2019.