Mayo airport part of global operation targeting human trafficking

FLIGHTS at Ireland West Airport Knock were monitored recently as part of a global operation targeting human trafficking.

Between June 8 and 12, An Garda Síochána, along with other law enforcement partners worldwide, participated in Operation Global Chain targeting human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging in order to detect and disrupt organised crime groups exploiting vulnerable victims for financial gain.

This annual operation took place with coordination and support from Europol, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and INTERPOL under the EMPACT framework. An Garda Síochána was assisted during the week of action by the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Workplace Relations Commission, Ruhama and local garda immigration officers throughout the country, including Mayo.

On June 8, members of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) were present in Dublin, Cork and Knock airports where 64 flights were monitored with the assistance of the Border Management Unit (BMU) in Dublin Airport and local immigration officers in Cork and Knock airports. Additionally, members of the Kerry Divisional Protective Services Unit were present at Kerry Airport.

In total, 10,640 passengers were inspected at the four airports.

As well as monitoring flights, gardaí carried out a high-visibility awareness campaign in the arrivals hall of each airport, engaging with the public to help identify indicators of human trafficking.

Further monitoring also took place in Dublin and Shannon airports on June 9, with operations also taking place at ports.

As part of the operation, the GNPSB liaised with Divisional Protective Services Units and Serious Crime Units across Ireland to coordinate an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels and massage parlours to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation.

Some notable activities from the week include:

• Arrest at a massage parlour in Cork of a man (50s) on foot of an outstanding European Arrest Warrant from Germany for the offence of child kidnapping, illegal restraining and hostage taking. The man is currently in custody pending extradition proceedings.

• Prosecution for purchase of sexual services in Co. Meath.

• Seizure of over €25,000 from two suspects.

• Positive engagement with sex workers reported throughout the country.

• It is estimated that gardaí engaged with one quarter of all sex workers advertising nationally throughout the week.

In preparation for this operation, An Garda Síochána participated in an online hackathon in May 2026. The goal was to generate high-quality intelligence to bolster the operation’s effectiveness. Thirty-two countries, including Ireland, took part in the hackathon.

An Garda Síochána will continue to work closely with Europol and other law enforcement partners in the identification of victims so they can be removed from harm.

An Garda Síochána appeals to any individual who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward and speak with them, either at a local garda station, or to call the garda confidential phone number on 1800 666 111. An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to speak up.

Further details on human trafficking and sexual exploitation can be found at blueblindfold.ie.