Irish mushroom gangmasters fined

Two men discovered by GLA investigators to be supplying labour to the mushroom industry in Northern Ireland without the required licence have each been fined £500.

Peter MacHugh, of Irlandea Employments, Ballynahinch, County Down and Patrick Kernan, of Kernan Recruitment, Benburb, County Tyrone, each admitted a separate charge of acting as a gangmaster without a licence.

The Armagh court was told that MacHugh acquired at least 18 workers from agencies in Romania and Bulgaria. He charged each of them a ‘finding fee’ for their employment of between £300 and £500.

They were then provided to perform agricultural work for a mushroom producer – an activity that required him to hold a valid GLA Licence.

It was also heard that Kernan, another unlicensed gangmaster, advertised jobs across Europe.

Kernan charged 23 workers £100 each to go towards their transport from the airport and to assist with their accommodation. He was paid another £150 per worker supplied by the mushroom producer.

Both men were fined £500 and ordered to pay a contribution towards their prosecution costs.

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