THE HAGUE, 03 July. - (ANA) - A Eurojust supported joint investigation team (JIT) between the Irish and Latvian authorities, and Europol, has led to Ireland's first convictions for human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Following the investigation, Irish courts sentenced two individuals to 13 and 11 years' imprisonment for offences including human trafficking, money laundering and forgery.

 

The two individuals, who were residing in Ireland, pleaded guilty to offences including human trafficking, money laundering and forgery committed between December 2020 and October 2023. They exploited seven victims who had been deceptively recruited from Latvia.

 

The victims—six men and one woman, aged between 40 and 60—were lured to Ireland with promises of secure employment, good working conditions and accommodation. Instead, they were subjected to severe labour exploitation, resulting in physical and psychological harm and the theft of approximately EUR 750 000 in wages.

 

During the trial, the victims gave harrowing testimony describing the abuse they endured. They were deprived of basic necessities, including adequate food and shelter, and transported to work at various locations across Ireland and Northern Ireland while being denied access to the wages they had earned. The perpetrators exercised a high degree of control over the victims by funnelling their wages through shell companies. The victims also faced significant language barriers and were threatened with harm to family members in Latvia.

 

The Eurojust supported Joint Investigation Team provided the judicial cooperation framework that enabled the Irish and Latvian authorities to coordinate investigative measures, exchange evidence swiftly and securely, and address cross-border legal and evidential issues throughout the investigation. By facilitating close cooperation between prosecutors and investigators in both countries, the JIT played a key role in bringing those responsible for the cross-border recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable victims to justice.

 

Europol complemented the investigation by facilitating the exchange of operational information, providing analytical support and deploying an expert to Dublin during the action day to assist investigators with real-time operational analysis and technical expertise.

 

The following authorities were involved in the supported Joint Investigation Team:

 

- Ireland: An Garda Síochána, Donegal Division and Sligo/Leitrim Division; Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and other Specialist Sections with An Garda Síochána

 

- Latvia: Prosecution Office of the Republic of Latvia; Fourth Unit of the Serious and Serial Organized Crime Enforcement Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police of Latvia.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/03 July 2026  - - -