A MAN HAS been jailed for four and a half years for his role in the human trafficking of three women into Ireland, who were later forced into prostitution.

Lucky Enogheghase (38) with an address at Frenchville Lane, Galway pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking.

The court heard that Enogheghase was involved in facilitating the journey of three women from Nigeria to Ireland. Once here, these three women were forced into prostitution by third parties, who have already been dealt with by the courts.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Enogheghase’s guilty pleas were accepted on the basis of recklessness in that he was not aware of what awaited these three women upon their arrival in Ireland. The court was asked to take two other counts of conspiracy to commit human trafficking into consideration when imposing sentence.

An investigating garda told Fiona Murphy SC, prosecuting, that Enogheghase assisted in the travel of the three women, who were trafficked to Ireland. He said the women had been duped by other parties who invited them to come here.

The court heard that the garda investigation began after one of the three women recognised Enogheghase at a hotel in Galway and told gardaí he helped to facilitate her journey between Nigeria and Italy, before she arrived in Ireland.

The garda said Enogheghase’s role was varied from travelling with the women, to providing accommodation and then facilitating their onward journey. He said Enogheghase’s role with the organisation which trafficked the women has not been established and gardaí can’t say what reward, if any, Enogheghase would have received for his involvement.

Enogheghase was arrested in November 2022 and interviewed by gardaí, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. He has no previous convictions.

The investigating garda agreed with Michael Lynn SC, defending, that his client was co-operative and the guilty plea was of assistance to the prosecution.

It was further accepted that Enogheghase was not living a lavish lifestyle after he moved to Ireland and has some work history here. The garda also agreed that Enogheghase is doing well in custody and has enhanced prisoner status.

Mr Lynn outlined his client’s background and asked the court to take into account all available mitigation.

He said his client accepts responsibility for his role and was reckless because he didn’t know what awaited for the women here in Ireland.

Judge Martin Nolan said Enogheghase had been involved in the trafficking of three people, which was a “serious matter”.

The judge said the court inferred Enogheghase was due to receive some reward for his involvement, adding that it was “hard to know what level he was in the organisation, but probably not at the highest level, but that’s only a guess on behalf of the court”.

He imposed a sentence of four and a half years and backdated it to when Enogheghase went into custody in November 2022.