UK - 39 bodies found in lorry container, Essex, 23 Oct 2019 *Guilty* #3

[CaptainNancy]

Caolan Gormley sent to prison for 7 years.

https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2023-11-30/people-smuggler-linked-to-39-deaths-jailed-for-seven-years

“Haulage boss Caolan Gormley, 26, from Co Tyrone, was driven by “greed” when he plotted to bring migrants into the UK from mainland Europe three times in October 2019, the Old Bailey heard….
On Thursday, Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced Gormley to seven years in prison.

The judge said the defendant had “succumbed to temptation and greed” when he got involved in the “extremely lucrative business” of smuggling migrants.

Referring to the tragedy of October 23, he said: “But for those deaths, I have no doubt whatsoever that this illegal importation of illegal immigrants would have continued, as would your involvement.”

He noted ringleader Ronan Hughes had twice tried to call Gormley shortly after the bodies were discovered in the back of a lorry container in the early hours of October 23 to let him know what had happened.”

In this trial Gormley’s defence was that he believed he was smuggling alcohol. And yet looking back at reports of Christopher Kennedy’s trial it seems he claimed that his boss, Gormley, had recruited him to smuggle tobacco. Can the prosecution for one trial draw on what was said in another?

 

[CaptainNancy]

Belfast Telegraph:

“Judge Marks told Gormley: “You had built up a good business and were working hard and making good money, but when approached by the ringleader in all of this, Ronan Hughes, succumbed to temptation and greed.”
The judge said Gormley had claimed he was being paid up to £3,500 per load of migrants but the evidence showed they were paying up to £22,500 each.
He added that even though Gormley’s involvement was short-lived, he had been drawn into “a sophisticated and profitable conspiracy, which was well-planned and well-organised” for financial gain….

Gormley was asked why he denied “to the bitter end” being the owner of that phone when interviewed by police.

He said: “I lied about it because I didn’t want to confess (to) a crime I had committed in relation to alcohol smuggling.
I had contacted Ronan Hughes on the phone. At that time the news had come out about what happened with the 39 dead and I didn’t want any affiliation with that.”

Gormley also told jurors he had no reason to question Kennedy’s explanation for being caught with migrants in his lorry on October 14.

He said: “Kennedy said he stopped at the supermarket to buy alcohol and cigarettes on his way to the crossing. At that time he was actually covering his tracks for what had happened.

“He just said they must have got in the trailer while he was in the shop. It’s a very hot spot for migrants in the Calais area. It’s very common. I had no reason not to believe his account.”
Following the sentencing, Russell Tyner, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Caolan Gormley was involved in an unscrupulous network of organised criminals who profited from smuggling desperate people into the country.

“Not only did this criminal network breach UK border security, but in doing so they also risked the lives of those they transported with their utter disregard for safety. It is devastating that 39 vulnerable people have lost their lives as a result of their greed and recklessness.” “

So Gormley, an experienced driver himself and running a haulage company, claimed to believe that 20 people (as reported in other accounts) got into the back of a closed trailer with (presumably a seal on it) in a public supermarket lorry park without anyone noticing, and without the driver noticing the broken seal in his routine checks on returning to the lorry?
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/...eaths-jailed-for-seven-years/a1025010761.html

 

[CaptainNancy]

Robinson has been transferred to a prison in NI
Lorry deaths driver Robinson moved to NI prison - BBC News

“Robinson pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey in April 2020 and is currently serving a prison term of 13 years and four months.
His transfer to Maghaberry, a high-security prison near Lisburn, was first reported by the Press Association news agency.
It said it understood the transfer took place in March.

'Crucial element of rehabilitation'​

The Northern Ireland Prison Service has not confirmed the move.
However, in a statement its spokesman said "prisoners serving sentences in the UK may apply to be transferred from one jurisdiction to another under Intra-UK prisoner transfer arrangements providing they meet certain qualifying criteria".
"These include having close family (ie a partner, children, parents, grandparents or a wider supportive family circle) resident in the receiving jurisdiction.
"These arrangements help provide prisoners with easier access to a supportive family environment, which is considered a crucial element of a prisoner's rehabilitation journey.
"Transfers are usually on a restricted basis, meaning that for the purposes of detention, release and licence recall they remain subject to the laws governing the original sentencing jurisdiction.
"For these prisoners release dates remain unaltered." “

 

[CaptainNancy]

Draghici is being deported

Essex lorry deaths: Marius Draghici to be deported to Romania - BBC News

A total of 11 people have been convicted in the UK over the lorry deaths discovered in Essex.

www.bbc.com

“A Romanian man jailed over the deaths of 39 people in a lorry trailer is to be deported without paying a penny to his victims' families.
Marius Draghici, 51, fled the UK after the Vietnamese nationals died in the airtight sealed container as it was transported by ferry from Belgium to Purfleet, Essex, in October 2019.
Said to be a "right-hand man" in a long-running people smuggling ring, Draghici was arrested in Romania in August 2022 and extradited to the UK.
He was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. A confiscation hearing at the Old Bailey was told he would be deported "shortly".

“A confiscation hearing at the Old Bailey earlier heard that Draghici would not be pursued under the Proceeds of Crime Act - which looks to recover money gained by criminal means.
"Following an investigation, no assets have been discovered," prosecutor Ben Holt said.
"In any event, it is understood Mr Draghici will be deported shortly and therefore no proceedings are to be pursued."
The defendant attended the brief hearing by video link from HMP Stocken in Rutland.
It was understood he would serve the remainder of his prison sentence in Romania”