An extradition hearing has begun in a bid to bring lorry driver Eamonn Harrison from the Republic of Ireland to the UK.

Mr Harrison is sought by Essex Police over the deaths of 39 people who died in the back of a refrigerated lorry found in Grays last month. 

He faces a total of 41 charges, including 39 counts of manslaughter which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, one count of a human trafficking offence and one count of assisting unlawful immigration.

Dublin Central Criminal Court heard this morning of a connection between Harrison and the lorry used to deliver a container to the port in Zeebrugge, which was then picked up at Tilbury. 

It is alleged Harrison signed the shipping notice for the container, Dublin Central Criminal Court heard.

Siobhan Stack SC, defence for Mr Harrison, raised a number of issues with the warrant for extradition.

She told the court: "The fundamental defect is limited information."

She argued that where and when exactly Mr Harrison committed his alleged offences is not listed or detailed in the warrant, or the degree in which Mr Harrison was involved.

The warrant also states Mr Harrison is a British citizen, but Mr Harrison was travelling on an Irish passport and says he is an Irish citizen.

She told the court the warrant has been "rushed".