'Let us investigate' - Gardaí appeal to human trafficking victims to reach out for help

An Garda Síochána is appealing to people who may be victims of human trafficking to reach out for help. 

The call comes following a collaboration between Gardaí and colleagues in Romania and the UK targeting crime groups involved in human trafficking, organised prostitution and money laundering. 

EUROJUST - a European Union agency dealing with judicial co-operation in criminal matters among agencies of member states - provided support to set up and fund a joint investigation team (JIT) into the case and facilitated judicial cross-border cooperation. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said, "I would appeal to any person who may be the victim of Human Trafficking and is in a position to reach out for help, please contact An Garda Síochána on 999/112, An Garda Síochána is here to help. 

"I am conscious that not every victim may be in a position to do so, I would appeal to any persons who knows of a possible victim of Human Trafficking or suspects human trafficking to contact An Garda Síochána, provide us with the information, let us investigate the suspicions." 

According to Gardaí, two searches were carried out at residential locations this week (April 19) in the south and the west of Ireland. 

A number of people were identified and spoken to at both locations and material of evidential value was recovered.

This material will be provided to the Romanian authorities, under the terms of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), who are the lead authority in the investigation. 

Gardaí from the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit (HTICU) under the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) carried out the searches and were accompanied by international colleagues from Romania who were present in Ireland.

Speaking about the operation, Detective Chief Superintendent Noonan said, "An Garda Síochána through the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit continue to proactively engage with International Law Enforcement partners to protect the most vulnerable persons in our societies.

"Human Trafficking for sexual exploitation is a heinous crime, exploiting another human being for the commercial benefit of the trafficker. An Garda Síochána is determined to ensure that this type of crime is identified and investigated at every opportunity.” 

According to a 2022 report by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), the total number of presumed trafficking victims in Ireland fell from 103 in 2017 to 44 in 2021. 

Sexual exploitation was identified as the primary form of exploitation, but the number of people trafficked for labour exploitation – in sectors including fishing, farming, construction, catering and domestic work – reportedly grew over the same period. 

Notably, the report stated the figures do not reflect the real scale of the phenomenon in Ireland, "partly due to the persisting limitations of the existing procedures for identifying victims". 

Although some positive developments since a previous evaluation in 2017 were acknowledged, the report noted the number of investigations into human trafficking has been decreasing over the years, and the number of prosecutions and convictions is very low. 

Information on suspected human trafficking in Ireland can be provided to any Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 250 025. 

Find more information on human trafficking here.