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Essex lorry deaths: Eamonn Harrison to be extradited from Ireland over death of 39 migrants found near Dartford

A man accused of causing the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants is set to be extradited.

Eamonn Harrison, of Mayobridge, County Down, Northern Ireland, was charged with the manslaughters after the bodies were found inside a refrigerated trailer near the Dartford Crossing, on Wednesday, October 23.

39 people were found dead in a lorry container in Essex last October
39 people were found dead in a lorry container in Essex last October

The lorry driver is also accused of one human trafficking offence, and one count of assisting unlawful immigration, after the discovery in Grays, Essex.

A Dublin judge has decided the 23-year-old should be brought to the UK from the Republic of Ireland.

The bodies of the victims, which included a 15-year-old boy, were flown back to Vietnam in November, while investigations continue.

Fellow lorry driver Maurice Robinson has also been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, and has admitted conspiring with others to assist illegal immigration.

Christopher Kennedy, 23, of County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking and assisting unlawful immigration, and is due to go on trial next year.

Police at the scene of the discovery in Essex. Picture: UKNIP
Police at the scene of the discovery in Essex. Picture: UKNIP

Essex Police previously said the bodies were discovered in a refrigerated trailer and had been repatriated.

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