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NI man (23) arrested over deaths of 39 Vietnamese people in lorry trailer

A 23-year old man from Northern Ireland has been arrested in connection with the deaths of the 39 people found in the back of a lorry last month.

The victims, all of whom were Vietnamese nationals, were discovered in a refrigerated trailer in Grays, Essex on October 23.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “A 23-year-old man from Northern Ireland was arrested by officers from Thames Valley Police on behalf of Essex Police in the early hours of this morning on the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, in connection with our enquiry in to the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals in a lorry trailer found in Grays on October 23.

“He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and remains in custody.”

Following last month’s discovery, the truck’s driver Maurice Robinson, from Laurelvale, was arrested and charged with 39 counts of “manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and money laundering.”

Three others have been released on bail.

Police in Dublin arrested Eamonn Harrison, from Mayobridge, in connection to the investigation and police said they were searching for Armagh brothers Ronan and Christopher Hughes who are wanted on suspicion of human trafficking.

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