Lawyers for an Irishman wanted in the UK to face 39 manslaughter charges have said it is not clear where the alleged offences are said to have taken place.
Ronan Hughes from Leitrim Silverstream, Tyholland in County Monaghan is accused of being the ringleader of an illegal immigration operation.
UK authorities are seeking Ronan Hughes’ surrender so they can prosecute him for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese nationals, whose bodies were found in the back of a lorry in Essex last October.
The haulier is also accused of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.
His barrister Remy Farrell claimed today that the warrant wasn’t clear on the issue of where exactly the alleged offences are said to have taken place.
UK authorities say they died on UK territory while being transported from Belgium, and therefore claim they have jurisdiction to prosecute.
Mr Farrell told the judge they may need to seek more clarity on that issue.
Ronan Kennedy, on behalf of the Minister for Justice, described their argument as “fundamentally misconceived.”
He said it was clear from the contents of the warrant that all the offences are said to have occurred within the UK.
The case will return to court next month.
Reporting from Frank Greaney
