Ireland Two sent forward for trial over human trafficking charges, Donegal
Viorel Tanase (31, man) and Samariteanca Tinichigiu (30, woman) are each accused of three counts of human trafficking over alleged offences in County Donegal on dates between March and April 2016. At Buncrana District Court, reported on 29 January 2026, a garda served the Book of Evidence on both, and a Section 56 order was made for video copies of Garda interviews to be given to the defence. The DPP consented to both being sent forward for trial by judge and jury to the Circuit Court in Letterkenny, and both were given the alibi warning, while other charges against Tanase, including dangerous driving to threaten or intimidate, were adjourned to June. The latest development reported is that both were released on continuing bail to a new address in County Cork, with the next Circuit Court sitting for trial set for 3 February.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court28 Jan
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Viorel Tanase, a 31-year-old man, and Samariteanca Tinichigiu, a 30-year-old woman, are each accused of three counts of human trafficking.
- Where
- The alleged offences took place in County Donegal.
- Both accused appeared before Buncrana District Court.
- When
- The alleged offences were on dates between March and April 2016.
- Investigation
- A garda served the Book of Evidence on both accused.
- The judge made a Section 56 order for video copies of Garda interviews to be given to the defence.
- Charges
- Other charges against Tanase, including dangerous driving to threaten or intimidate, were adjourned to June.
- In court
- The DPP consented to both accused being sent forward for trial.
- Both accused were sent forward for trial by judge and jury to the Circuit Court in Letterkenny.
- The judge gave both accused the alibi warning.
- The next Circuit Court sitting for trial was set for 3 February.
- Other details
- Both accused were released on continuing bail to a new address in County Cork.
- Their earlier addresses were in Convoy, County Donegal, at Greenfields for Tanase and Manor Court for Tinichigiu.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe alleged offences took place in County Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereBoth accused appeared before Buncrana District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences were on dates between March and April 2016. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA garda served the Book of Evidence on both accused. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe judge made a Section 56 order for video copies of Garda interviews to be given to the defence. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeViorel Tanase and Samariteanca Tinichigiu are each accused of three counts of human trafficking. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeOther charges against Tanase, including dangerous driving to threaten or intimidate, were adjourned to June. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to both accused being sent forward for trial. (donegallive.ie)
- courtBoth accused were sent forward for trial by judge and jury to the Circuit Court in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe next Circuit Court sitting for trial was set for 3 February. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge gave both accused the alibi warning. (donegallive.ie)
- otherBoth accused were released on continuing bail to a new address. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe accused's current address is in County Cork. (donegallive.ie)
- otherTheir earlier addresses were in Convoy, County Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jan2026Man and woman on human trafficking charges sent forward for trial to Circuit Court
Reports the Buncrana District Court book of evidence service, the sending forward for trial, the alibi warning, the Section 56 order, bail to a County Cork address, and adjournment of other charges against Tanase to June.
accused, Viorel Tanase, 31, male, namedViorel Tanaseaccused, Samariteanca Tinichigiu, 30, female, namedSamariteanca Tinichigiu