Three jailed over people trafficking

Three people have been sentenced in Romania over human trafficking offences in Ireland.

Remus Fusteac (41) was jailed for seven years, while his son Arthur Sergiu (21) and nephew Alexandru Fuste (20) were both sentenced to five years in prison.

The court in Timisoara heard the trafficking victims were threatened, beaten and sometimes held at gunpoint.

The three were found guilty of being involved in the trafficking of 28 people to Co Wexford between 2006 and 2008 where they had to work long hours in a controlled environment, with a debt of €25,000 to pay. They were also found guilty of organising a criminal syndicate and illegally possessing firearms.

As the three had returned to Romania they were tried there largely on the basis of evidence gathered by the Garda.

The court heard the gang had previously been deported from Ireland in 2004 after being investigated for money-laundering.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern today welcomed the co-operation between the Garda and the Romanian authorities which led to the convictions being secured.