Essex lorry deaths – Cops seize two lorries linked to Irish brothers hunted over manslaughter of 39 migrants found dead
DETECTIVES have today seized two lorries linked to the two Irish brothers hunted over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals in a container.
A trailer was also seized in the raid by Irish police at Dublin Port this morning.
The vehicles were linked to the haulage firm run by on-the-run Ronan Hughes, 40, and brother Christopher, 34.
The pair, of Northern Ireland near the Republic border, are wanted on suspicion of manslaughter and people trafficking.
Two lorry drivers, who are not linked to crime or the investigation into the tragedy, were also interviewed by cops.
Essex Police are still hunting the brothers over the deaths of 31 men and eight women whose bodies were found in the back of a lorry in Grays, Essex last month.
FUGITIVE IRISH BROTHERS
Speaking last week, Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper, said: “Finding and speaking to the Hughes brothers is crucial to our investigation.
“This is a case where 39 men and women have tragically died and support from the community is going to be vital to help bring those responsible to justice.”
Last month lorry driver Maurice ‘Mo’ Robinson appeared in court charged with manslaughter and conspiracy to traffic.
The dad-to-be is accused of being part of a “global ring” of people smugglers..
The 25-year-old, from Northern Ireland, was quizzed for more than 72 hours by cops after he picked up the trailer from Purfleet, Essex.
Just 20 minutes later, the grisly discovery of the eight women and 31 men in the back of the death-trap lorry was made on an industrial estate in Grays at around 1.40am.
This article was based on announcements publicly made by the Essex Police in October and November 2019. Christopher Hughes has since denied any involvement in these deaths and the Essex Police has subsequently confirmed that no further action will be taken against him.
