Seven to go on trial for conspiracy to import drugs after arrests in Kerry and Clare
State solicitor Ciara Vibien on Tuesday told the three-judge, non-jury court that the men were sent forward from Tralee District Court on June 18 last, each charged with a single count of conspiracy.
Ms Vibien successfully applied to have them tried at the Special Criminal Court, where they will appear on Wednesday, July 9. All seven are in custody.
The accused men are Gary Monks, aged 40, of Amulree Place, Glasgow, Scotland; Ryan Watson, aged 31, of Mailerbeg Gardens, Modiesburn, Glasgow; Conor Costello, aged 31, of Earhart Park, Madamsbank Rd, Derry; Miljan Koprivica, aged 45, of Bollin Drive, Manchester.
Three Filipino men are also charged: Hanz Pangahin, aged 36, Christopher Ampo, aged 44, and Feljon Lao, aged 62.
The single count against each accused alleges that they conspired with one another and unknown others on dates between December 18, 2024, and January 15, 2025, both dates inclusive, within and outside the State, to import controlled drugs worth in excess of €13,000.
The alleged offence is contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended.
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Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
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Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Irish Times
Man jailed for role in murder of David Douglas in Dublin shoe shop appeals conviction
A Dublin man jailed for life for his role in the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas who was 'executed' at a city centre shoe shop in Dublin nine years ago, has appealed his conviction arguing the court was wrong to find that a 'general association' with others linked to the crime was indicative of guilt. Mr Douglas (55) was shot six times in broad daylight as he took a meal break at the counter in his partner's shop, Shoestown in Dublin's Liberties. The semi-automatic pistol used in the murder had its serial number removed and was 'brazenly' left at the scene next to the deceased's head, the court heard. Lee Canavan (36) was jailed for life by Special Criminal Court on June 3rd, 2021. Canavan was the fourth man to be jailed in relation to the murder and his conviction was described by gardaí as 'significant'. READ MORE In 2018, gangster Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (45) was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas. In 2019, Nathan Foley (26) of Maryland, Dublin 8, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence. Canavan's half-brother Gareth Brophy (30) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years also by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver. David 'Daithí' Douglas was shot dead in Dublin in 2016. In passing judgment, the non-jury court ruled that Canavan was part of a joint enterprise or shared intention to murder Mr Douglas in what was described as a 'meticulously planned execution'. However, the three-judge court did not agree with the State's contention that Canavan was 'the person who literally pulled the trigger', owing to a lack of forensic or identification evidence. Delivering judgment, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said that four different vehicles had been used in the murder in a 'carefully planned assassination'. A Mercedes car used in the killing was found burned out near the shooting and a stolen Suzuki Swift was then used to ferry those in the Mercedes away from the burn site. Canavan, with an address at Edenbrook, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1st, 2016. Launching an Appeal against his conviction on Friday, Canavan's senior counsel Michael Bowman argued the court had made an error by convicting Canavan of murder in circumstances where the prosecution opened the case on the basis that his client was the individual who 'literally pulled the trigger'. He also submitted the three-judge court was wrong to find that a general association with others was indicative of guilt. Mr Bowman said Canavan was 'habitually' seen with Freddie Thompson and Gareth Brophy, who was his half-brother. 'There is nothing unusual about that. 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He said these vehicles then became 'live' later in the afternoon – one as 'the murder vehicle' and the other as the 'getaway' car – for the team involved in the killing. Mr McGillicuddy said the court found Canavan was 'an integral part' of that team on the basis of joint enterprise. He said the court found Canavan was 'centrally involved' in the placement of vehicles in areas not covered by CCTV and fed the meters to ensure they would be available later on. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the court would reserve judgment. A father of one, Canavan was concurrently jailed for five years for the criminal damage to the getaway vehicle, a stolen Suzuki Swift, in Sandymount three days after the shooting. After the guilty verdict was delivered in May 2021, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary told media outside of court that Canavan's conviction was 'very significant' and that gardaí had now convictions for the 'whole murder cell'.
Sunday World
2 days ago
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