A MAN alleged to be the mastermind behind a people smuggling ring that resulted in the death of 39 people, whose bodies were discovered in Thurrock, will remain behind bars as Essex Police attempt to bring him to justice in the UK.

The force is seeking the extradition of Ronan Hughes, 40, from County Monaghan in Ireland, where he is currently being held in a Dublin prison.

At a hearing at Dublin's High Court Judge Justice Paul Burns refused an application for bail while proceedings are ongoing, saying that s if bail was granted there would be a real risk of him absconding. A further hearing will be held in Dublin on 7 May.

The bodies of the Vietnamese nationals were discovered when lorry driver Maurice Robinson opened the doors of the refrigerated container he had driven to Waterglade Industrial Park in West Thurrock. The container had arrived at the nearby Purfleet C.Ro Terminal on a ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Last month Robinson pleaded guilty to their manslaughter.

At the hearing in Dublin, Irish Police officer Sgt Jim Kirwan told the court that Robinson has given evidence to British police that he received £25,000 from Hughes for his involvement in the people smuggling.

A number of other men, including Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 27, of Hobart Road in Tilbury, who is charged with conspiracy in the immigration ring, still await trial.

Also in Ireland, Eamonn Harrison, 22, of Mayobridge, Northern Ireland, has been granted leave to appeal his extradition to the UK under the terms of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Essex Police, whose officers travelled to Vietnam during their investigations, and the Crown Prosecution Service.

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The warrant meant he faced 39 charges of manslaughter, and a charge of conspiracy to traffic people, as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. His next hearing will also be in Dublin on Thursday, 7 May.