Man being questioned over suspected trafficking

 

 
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the Midlands prison in Portlaoise around lunchtime today, Monday, and brought to Mullingar Garda station as part of an investigation into suspected human trafficking.

The man, who is understood to be serving time for motoring offences, is normally resident in Mullingar but is understood not to be an Irish native.

Gardaí have the power to detain the man for questioning for 24 hours. At that point he will have to be returned to the Midlands prison.

It is the third arrest in Mullingar in two weeks as a result of a wide Garda investigation into a suspected human trafficking operation. Two parties arrested on April 14 have been charged with money laundering and organising prostitution and are currently in custody.