Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act, 2000

Trafficking in illegal immigrants.

2.—(1) A person who organises or knowingly facilitates the entry into the State of a person whom he or she knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be an illegal immigrant or a person who intends to seek asylum shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both,

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply—

(a) to anything done by a person otherwise than for gain, or

(b) to anything done to assist a person seeking asylum by a person in the course of his or her employment by a bona fide organisation if the purposes of that organisation include giving assistance to persons seeking asylum.

(3) Subsection (1) shall apply to acts done or omissions made outside, as well as to acts done or omissions made, in the State.