Migrant crisis: Threat to truckers

IRISH truck drivers operating on the Continent are facing dual threats as Europe’s migrant crisis escalates.

Those coming through the port of Calais in France are being threatened by illegal migrants trying to enter the UK by climbing on board their vehicles. As well as that, the truckers face the wrath of the British authorities if migrants are found to have stowed underneath or inside their vehicles.

It is little wonder that the Irish Road Haulage Association wants the Irish Government to act, complaining – quite rightly – that their members can hardly be expected to be border control officers.

Many of these migrants are armed and dangerous and prepared to take desperate measures to get their way. Sooner or later, a trucker will be hurt or killed if French and British authorities do not improve security at ferry ports and borders.

Even more alarming is the prospect that terrorists could seize the opportunity to get into the UK and cause untold chaos there.