Two minors in care of Tusla after nine found in container at Rosslare

The nine males were found in the container in Rosslare Europort at around 10.30am on Monday. Stock pic

Six of the nine people found on Monday in a sealed container in Rosslare Europort have been refused leave to land in accordance with immigration legislation. 

The nine young men found in the container were rescued after they alerted emergency services from within the container.

The men, who are in their late teens and early 20s, are from North Africa and were in the container since Thursday. It is understood the container left Dunkirk in France on Thursday and arrived into Rosslare Europort on Saturday. 

However, the men did not get out of the container until they managed to contact the emergency services on Monday morning.

Gardaí and the National Ambulance Service responded to the call and the men were found after the port authority and gardaí opened the container.

According to a Garda spokesperson, one adult man has claimed international protection and will now be processed by the International Protection Office (IPO).

Two of the people found in the container are believed to be minors and are now in the care of Tusla.

A source told the Irish Examiner that at least some of the men thought they were in the UK and said the container had been tightly sealed.

While one of the men required hospital treatment, the others were treated in the port and were being processed on Monday afternoon by gardaí on site.

Officers are understood to be liaising with international police in the probe. No arrests have taken place in the investigation.

It is expected that the men will be sent to a reception centre after they are processed.

Local Independent county councillor Ger Carthy paid tribute to the emergency services involved in the operation and said: “This is something that has happened on a number of occasions before but these are becoming more frequent which tells the story of wartorn countries across the world and people fleeing their homelands for safety. 

"Resources in ports around the country are something that probably needs to be looked at.” 

A garda spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána at Wexford Garda Station have commenced an investigation following the discovery of nine people in a shipping container at Rosslare Europort at approximately 10.30am this morning (Monday), 27 January, 2025.

"Gardaí were alerted to the presence of a number of people inside a shipping container at Rosslare Europort.

"Gardaí and emergency services located the nine males and they have been assessed by medical personnel.

"Eight of the people were deemed to be in good health, while one male is receiving further medical assessment at a hospital in the south-east of the country for non-life threatening injuries.

"Gardai attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all of the circumstances of this incident. Anyone with any information in relation to this discovery is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053-9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 18006611 or any Garda station."

Last October two men were found in a van that had arrived at Rosslare Europort.

They were in good health and provided with State supports, while two other men were arrested as part of the people smuggling operation.

The previous March seven males were discovered inside a trailer, also at Rosslare Europort.

• Gardaí attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all of the circumstances of this incident.
• Anyone with any information in relation to this discovery is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111, or any garda station.