The bodies of the eight refugees found inside a freight container near the port town of Rosslare in Co Wexford are believed to be Romanian.
Five other refugees who were also inside the container have been taken to hospital, where one of them is understood to be in a serious condition.
The human cargo was discovered after a lorry driver transporting the container heard noises coming from inside it.
Gardai have yet to establish the origin of the container and the identities of the refugees.