Eight men discovered on a cargo ship en route to Ireland yesterday are believed to be in good health.

The men, believed to be from Eastern Europe, were found on board a ship that docked at the Bellview Cargo Port on the Waterford/Kilkenny border yesterday.

The ship arrived in Ireland from France.

The men were found hiding in the bulk hold of the ship after one of them made himself known to a crewmember who contacted the captain.

They were met at the port by Garda Immigration Officers and are being processed under Irish immigration laws.

Gardai said they are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the incident.