AN IRISHMAN and his girlfriend accused of people smuggling through a Welsh ferry port pleaded guilty on Monday.

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

Girlfriend Nisjeta Papa, also 29, of Thornberry Square, Clonee, Dublin, admitted two charges at Caernarfon crown court, involving two Albanians.

It was alleged that Hickey and Papa made trips from Ireland to Holyhead on August 18 and September 29, and Hickey alone on October 13, when he had been stopped by the Border Force.

The charges are that they assisted in the immigration of non-EU citizens.

They were bailed pending sentencing on February 25, and probation reports will be prepared.

Consideration is to be given to the confiscation of Papa’s BMW X1.

Judge Huw Rees told them they had pleaded guilty to serious offences and they could expect to receive sentences of imprisonment.

He added: "I want to know why people of your seemingly presentable backgrounds have behaved in this way."