Man denies smuggling 14 Albanian men into Scotland in lorry

A man is to stand trial accused of smuggling 14 Albanian nationals into Scotland in a lorry.

Patrick John McKinney, 24, of Coshquin in Northern Ireland, was held in December 2024 after a truck was stopped at Loch Ryan ferry terminal in Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway.

Prosecutors claim he culpably and recklessly concealed 14 men within a compartment in the rear of the vehicle.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Brian McConnachie KC, defending, said his client denied the charges and a trial date was set for 26 July next year.

The offence is alleged to have been committed during severe weather conditions while the open-sided lorry was in an "unroadworthy" state, putting the men's lives in danger.

McKinney is also accused of transporting the 14 men from Northern Ireland to Scotland knowing or having cause to believe it would breach immigration law.

The case called at the High Court in Glasgow where McKinney faced a charge of culpable and reckless conduct and another under the Immigration Act.

The allegations are said to be aggravated by a connection with human trafficking activity.