Gardai have boarded a cargo ship anchored off the Dublin coast this evening as part of a major investigation into people trafficking.
The Unique, believed to be Mongolian-registered ship en route from Germany, is currently anchored a mile off the Dun Laoghaire coast.
Gardai and customs officers boarded the ship once the Navy vessel LE Aoifearrived on the scene.
Gardaí have been monitoring the ship since they received information that it had been boarded by the German authorities and ordered out of French territorial waters on suspicion of people trafficking.
The ship is thought to have been carrying illegal immigrants who were brought ashore in smaller boats to France.
Gardaí have been watching this ship since 10 a.m. this morning and the crew is believed to be made up of Bangladeshis and Russians.
One report suggested there were at least 10 illegal immigrants on board but that they were not in any immediate danger as they had an adequate supply of food and water.
Gardaí, Navy officials as well Customs and Immigration officers on board the ship checking passports and the conditions of those on the vessel.