Searches have been carried out in County Cavan as part of a Garda operation targeting human trafficking and prostitution.
Gardaí took part in Europol's week-long operation targeting Human Trafficking for Labour Exploitation across Europe.
The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) joint action days were led by the Netherlands and carried out by law enforcement and labour authorities from 32 countries.
Gardaí carried out 98 inspections in Cavan, along with Dublin, Louth, Westmeath and Wicklow Among the locations targeted for inspection were massage parlours, nail bars, restaurants and car washes. Gardaí were assisted during the operation by Revenue, the Workplace Relations Commission and the Department of Social Protection. The Criminal Law Human Trafficking Act 2008 provides for penalties of up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine for trafficking people for the purpose of labour.
Gardaí say the main objectives of the operation were to identify non-compliance with employment legislation and to allow members of the force to identify potential indicators of human trafficking for labour exploitation. In a statement to Northern Sound News, Detective Superintendent Derek Maguire of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit said, "Human trafficking can be sometimes difficult to identify, particularly as those that exploit people come up with new and novel ways of disguising their criminal enterprises and avoiding the law.
In total, 196 people were assessed for indicators of human trafficking. Gardaí engaged with 27 non-EU nationals on-site during this inspection to determine whether they were potential victims of human trafficking for labour exploitation.
Their living conditions and canteen facilities were also inspected and no indicators of human trafficking were identified.
