A man who admitted impeding the prosecution of human traffickers told gardaíhe received €300 per person, a court has heard.
Song Bo He (32) of Blackhall Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to committing acts with intent to impede the prosecution of others responsible for facilitating the entry into Ireland of illegal immigrants or asylum seekers on dates between January 1st and July 25, 2009.
He will be sentenced later this month. Part of his sentence is likely to involve his deportation back to his native China.
Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, for the prosecution, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Song had been on trial in May.
After four days, he pleaded guilty to one charge and this was accepted by the prosecution.
Micheál O’Higgins SC, defending, said his client made “fulsome admissions” to gardaí and wished to apologise.
He said he has been in Ireland for the past 10 years, having come here initially as a student.
He has two children and his wife has lived in Ireland for the past nine years.
Counsel said his client’s elderly parents in China are ill and need financial support.
Judge Patrick McCartan said if it could be established that the defendant could be deported to China, he would consider this option. He adjourned sentencing until later this month.