PEOPLE THROUGHOUT New Ross were shocked to learn of the arrest of a man from the town in relation to the alleged attempted smuggling of gold bars into India.

Edwin Minihan, who is in his 40s, comes from one of the most highly respected families in New Ross and the news of his arrest caused widespread shock throughout the town at the weekend.

He was arrested at Kochi International Airport on Tuesday night after getting of a flight from Dubai.

It’s believed Mr. Minihan is being questioned about allegedly having gold bars hidden in his clothes.

He was on an Emirates Airlines flight and it’s believed the estimated street value of the gold is in the region of €350,000.

A customs commissioner in India was quoted in the Irish national media over the weekend as commenting that “the passenger was intercepted at the exit gate of the arrival hall on suspicion that he was carrying contraband goods”.

It’s also believed the customs officers intercepted Mr. Minihan as a result of a tip-off.

Mr. Minihan’s family are highly regarded in New Ross and relatives and friends are baffled as to how the incident could come about.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to the Echo that it is providing consular assistance in the matter.

In a statement issued to the Echo a department official said: “The Department can confirm that we are providing consular assistance through our Embassy in New Delhi to an Irish Citizen who was arrested in India.”

It’s believed the matter first came to the attention of family members here after they were contacted by Embassy officials.

However, the family has also received a lot of support from the people of New Ross as they anxiously await news from India.

“The family is very worried but the level of support from the people in New Ross has been brilliant,” said one relative of Mr. Minihan.

Mr. Minihan is a father-of-one and works in Dubai as a sales director with Tango Telecom.

He has been living in Dubai for the last nine years and has an exemplary record within the telecommunications industry in which he is highly regarded.

The matter is ongoing and Mr. Minihan could be questioned by Indian authorities for some time.