Eight people including two children were found in a container on a ferry that arrived at Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford on Thursday.
Gardaí said the four adults, two teenagers and two children were all safe and received medical attention when found at the scene. It is believed they are originally from Kurdistan.
The eight people were found inside a container on a Stena Line Ferry coming from Cherbourg in France.
Gardaí said the group would be brought to Dublin where they would lodge a claim for asylum. They will then be referred to a refugee programme.
In April, 14 people were found in the back of a refrigerated lorry at the Rosslare Europort.
The 11 men, two women and a child were in the back of a lorry for several days before they were discovered.