16 people have been found alive on board a ferry that is heading to Rosslare port in County Wexford.
They were found in a container on a Stena Line ferry sailing from Cherbourg in France.
At 9.20 pm last night the Stena Horizon roll on roll off passenger ship left Cherbourg in France for Rosslare.
En route staff heard banging from a truck container in the ships hold. When they opened the doors they found 16 people alive.
Sources say they are in good health but will be examined by a doctor on arrival.
A garda case conference is taking place in Wexford where discussions on how to proceed once the ship docks in Rosslare are taking place.
Little is known at this stage about the identity and nationality of the 16 stowaways. It is believed they are all men aged between 20 and 40 years old.
The ship is currently in the Celtic Sea and is due to arrive at around 3.30 pm.
