AN IRISH couple were refused bail when they appeared before a weekend special court accused of people smuggling through a Welsh ferry port.

Project manager Dean Hickey, 29, of Woodville Close, Lucan, Dublin, faced three allegations of assisting in breaches of UK immigration law involving six different Albanians.

Magistrates at Llandudno heard on October 13 Hickey arrived at Holyhead from Ireland in a car with four Albanian passengers and was stopped by the Border Force.

He and his girlfriend Nisjeta Papa, also 29, of Thornberry Square, Clonee, Dublin, face charges from August and September. No pleas were entered.

They were remanded in custody until January 2 at Caernarfon crown court.