Waterford councillor raises human trafficking fears over cash-only business surge

A Waterford councillor has raised concerns about a rise in cash-only businesses linked to potential human trafficking and worker exploitation. The local planning authority says it has no grounds to intervene.

Cash-only businesses in Waterford prompt human trafficking warning from councillor

Waterford councillor Jason Murphy has raised concerns about a sharp rise in the number of cash-only businesses across the city and county, warning that human trafficking and worker exploitation may be taking place, waterford-news.ie reports.

Addressing senior planning staff this week, Cllr Murphy pointed to the growing number of nail bars, beauty salons, barber shops, hairdressers and carwashes operating in Waterford and Dungarvan. He recalled a meeting held some years ago with a retired high-ranking officer of the Metropolitan Police in London, who told councillors he had "no doubt there was human trafficking going on" given the concentration of such businesses in the area.

"I think there's been an explosion of these cash-only and high cash turnover businesses in Waterford and in Dungarvan as well," Cllr Murphy said. He called on the Council to establish whether the planning authority had alerted Revenue, Immigration, or An Garda Síochána to the trend.

"I think there is a real issue around Waterford at the moment. It's something we should be looking at as a Council," he added.

In response, Waterford Council Director of Services Ivan Grimes said the local planning authority does not share those concerns, at least not within its own remit. Grimes explained that planning permission is not required when a new business moves into an existing premises, provided the change does not constitute a material change of use.

"As long as a new business fits into the general category of the business that was situated in a building before them, permission will not be required," Grimes said. He added that the authority would only become involved when the nature of an incoming business differs significantly from its predecessor.

Cllr Murphy did not indicate whether a formal referral to Garda or immigration authorities has been made. No operational response from An Garda Síochána or Revenue was reported.

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)