German pair charged over people smuggling at Cork port

A German man and woman have been charged with people smuggling offenses at Cork Ferry Port, Ireland. David Hochs, age 49, and Anna Edel, age 44, appeared in Cork District Court on 9 November after being arrested by gardaí (Irish police) on the 8th. The court heard that gardaí stopped and searched a campervan at the port around 10pm on the 8th, discovering two Albanian men hidden in wardrobes.

Both men were from Albania and lacked proper documentation. They were subsequently deported back to France. Both Hochs and Edel were arrested and charged with assisting the unlawful entry into the State of a person and knowing or having reasonable cause to believe such transit was in breach of the law. The court heard that the couple initially claimed they were on a five-day holiday in Ireland but could not specify where they were staying.

Detective Garda Tony Holmes and Detective Garda Michelle Quinn arrested and charged the couple, respectively. Both Hochs and Edel have been remanded in custody with conditions, requiring them to post a €3000 bond each, with €1000 in cash, surrender all travel documents, and check in daily at Anglesea Street Garda station between 9am and 9pm. Judge David Waters stated that the case was far too serious for the district court.