A 56 year old man who was arrested on Monday in Co Monaghan on suspicion of human trafficking offences has appeared in court.
Dainis Grinfelds appeared before a sitting of Monaghan District Court earlier this morning.
The Latvian national with an address on Dublin Street in Monaghan Town has been charged with one count of trafficking a woman within the state on a date in 2015.
As part of an ongoing investigation into human trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and forced criminality, Mr Grinfelds appeared before Judge Raymond Finnegan.
The charge relates to trafficking a woman within Ireland and outside of Ireland and Mr Grinfelds is charged under Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008.
Detective Garda, Philip Temple attached to the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-Ordination Unit (HTICU) at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau gave evidence of charge, arrest and caution.
On being charged with the offence the court was told that Mr Grinfelds said “I’m not guilty”.
His solicitor, Roisin Courtney said her client was currently in receipt of a disability payment and free legal aid was granted.
There was no application for bail made in relation to the accused and he was remanded to Cloverhill Prison.
He’ll appear before Monaghan District Court on Monday the 16th of June via video link for DPP directions.
