An asylum seeker who is living in direct provision here has told Newstalk that her six-year-old son was smuggled into Ireland three weeks ago.

The Zimbabwean woman, who has been in Ireland for over a year, had to flee her home country because her life was in danger. However she had to leave her on behind with her aunt.

She says she warned her aunt not to send her son to Ireland with a people smuggler; as it's dangerous and expensive.

But she says she received a phone call from social services at Dublin airport just over three weeks ago telling her that a young boy was there claiming to be her son.

The revelation comes just 24 hours after sixteen men were found in a container on-board a Cherbourg to Rosslare ferry.

Our reporter Barry Whyte had more on this on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.....