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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Man (46) appears in court over €1.6m drug haul in Wexford
A man (46) charged in connection with a €1.6 million drug haul in Co Wexford, appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Sunday afternoon. Fintan Fanning of Slaney Drive, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, came before Judge Kevin Staunton charged with having in his possession a controlled drug, namely cannabis, for the purpose of sale or supply. Herbal cannabis worth an estimated €1.6 million was seized at Tincurry, Ballycarney, on Friday after a van was intercepted by gardaí following a targeted joint operation involving An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service on Friday. About 80kg of herbal cannabis was discovered during the van search, with an estimated street value of €1.6 million. READ MORE The accused was arrested at the scene and detained for questioning. Mr Fanning appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit, with slight beard, and heavy tattooing around the neck area. The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes. Det Garda Dean Healy told Judge Stauntion that on July 19th he arrested the accused and charged him as set out on the charge sheet. The accused made 'no comment' when the charge was put to him, Det Healy said. Defence counsel, Craig Phillips, BL instructed by Eoin O'Sullivan, solicitor, said there would be no application for bail. He applied for free legal aid but no statement of means is yet available to the court. [ Woman with black eye and newborn baby claims husband 'kicked me and dragged me up and down' Opens in new window ] Sgt Stephen Ennis told the court he would be seeking a remand in custody for the accused, to appear before Wexford District Court on Tuesday via video link. Judge Staunton said he would grant free legal aid subject to a statement of means being made available to the court and remanded the accused in custody.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Wexford: Man arrested after €1.6m of herbal cannabis seized
A man has been arrested after €1.6m (£1.4m) of herbal cannabis was seized in County Garda Síochána (Irish police) and Revenue's Customs Service intercepted a van in Ballycaraney on Friday and discovered about 80kg of the man in his 40s, who was arrested at the scene, is being held in police seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.
The Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Buyer for MV Matthew found - but inaction by officials in Panama is slowing the sale down
A BUYER HAS come forward to purchase the drugs trafficking bulk carrier MV Matthew but a delay by officials in Panama is preventing the sale of the ship, The Journal has learned. The MV Matthew was seized in a spectacular military and law enforcement operation off the coast of Waterford in September 2023. It was the platform international organised crime groups were using to ship €157m worth of cocaine to Ireland. She has been berthed in Cork Harbour since – as revealed by this news website the bill for her upkeep has cost the State millions of euro . Revenue Customs control the vessel and they have been working to find a way to sell off the ship to a buyer since the Special Criminal Court cleared the way in December, 2024 . The Journal has learned that Revenue Customs has been moving forward with the efforts to dispose of the vessel. A buyer has come forward and is willing to buy the ship but Panama officials must agree to issue licences to allow the ship go back to sea. The Matthew sailed under a so-called flag of convenience – this is where the ship's owner has her registered in a location which has less restrictive regulations. Also it gives some distance from the owners, particularly in the case of the MV Matthew. For instance the MV Matthew while registered under the flag of the Panama in Central America was owned by a company Matthew Maritime which had an address in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific – this was done to avoid questions about the real owners of the vessel. It is believed by law enforcement sources that the Matthew was in fact owned by organised criminals in Dubai and the Middle East linked to Hezbollah and Iranian fundraisers. Advertisement Sources said that the State is anxious to get rid of the hulk berthed generally at Marino Point near the town of Cobh. It is costing the State hundreds of thousands of euros to maintain and to move to free up its berth for deliveries. An agency crew have been put onboard the ship also to maintain it. A generator running on deck has also prompted complaints from residents nearby. The presence of the detained bulk carrier in Cork Harbour has also caused significant problems for the Port of Cork Company (POCC) which has told Revenue that it is causing 'operational problems'. Sources have said that the MV Matthew could be worth between three and four million euros. The price has dropped somewhat since her detention due to the ship losing certain certificates. Correspondence obtained by The Journal detail an added risk exposure due to a potential lack of insurance as the ship has lost its 'class' classification. This status is issued to a ship which ensures that it meets certain marine standards, in turn it then allows marine insurance to foot the bill if anything goes wrong. Sources have said that a problem of no insurance on a ship that size could cause significant issues for POCC. This is understood to be the root of the problems with Panama officials. A statement from Revenue Customs confirmed they have found a buyer for the ship. 'Revenue has consistently stated its intention to dispose of the vessel as soon as the legal position allowed. On 2 December 2024 the Special Criminal Court authorised the release of the MV Matthew, thereby facilitating its disposal. A preferred bidder has been identified,' a spokesperson said. 'Revenue is engaging with the Panamanian authorities to ensure compliance with maritime legislation and regulations that govern the disposal of the MV Matthew and has received confirmation from them that it is receiving attention, and Revenue hopes to have these matters finalised shortly. 'As you will appreciate, Revenue is required to ensure that all regulations and legal obligations are fully complied with throughout the disposal and removal process,' Revenue Customs added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
BreakingNews.ie
03-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Two men due in court following €31m drugs seizure in west Cork
Two men have been charged over the seizure of €31 million worth of cocaine in Courtmacsherry in west Cork on Tuesday. Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork, and a large quantity of suspected cocaine was recovered. Advertisement The men, aged in their 30s and 40s,are expected to appear before a sitting of Bandon District Court on Thursday morning. Two other men, also in their 30s and 40s, remain detained at a Garda station in Co. Cork under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007. A Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) with two males on board departed from Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry. The Irish Naval ship, L.É. William Butler Yeats on patrol in the area as part of the Joint Task Force operation responded, supported by a Maritime patrol aircraft from the Irish Air Corps, who provided overhead surveillance during the operation. Two Naval Service rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs), with members of ships armed Maritime interdiction Team, were launched from L.É. William Butler Yeats and intercepted the suspect RIB off the coast of Cork. The suspect RIB was detained by Revenue Customs Service and the two males were taken on board the L.É. William Butler Yeats. The L.É. William Butler Yeats returned to Haulbowline Naval Base and both males (also aged in their 30s and 40s) were arrested.
The Journal
02-07-2025
- The Journal
Customs team begin 'deep rummage' search of suspected mothership in wake of €31m cocaine bust
CUSTOMS OFFICERS HAVE begun a detailed specialist search of a cargo ship as part of the investigation into the seizure of €31m worth of cocaine, The Journal has learned. The large ship was unloading its cargo at an Irish port this morning having arrived in Ireland yesterday from South America. Yesterday morning, in a large-scale operation , in the seas off the west Cork town of Courtmacsherry, members of the Naval Service, Revenue Customs and gardaí captured the crew of a Rigid Inflatable Hulled Boat (RHIB) and two men in a van allegedly moving the drugs. It is believed that the cocaine had been landed at Broad Strand near the town at around 4am yesterday. Gardaí later stopped the van with the two men on board. The pair were from Germany and the UK, sources said. Out at sea it's understood the RHIB that had delivered the drugs fled and was pursued by two Naval Service armed fast boats. The Journal observed as both of those speed boat suspects were arrested yesterday by detectives at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork Harbour. It's also emerged that the two men aboard the speed boat had arrived in a town in West Cork in recent days having travelled from the UK by sea. The crew of the LÉ William Butler Yeats had arrived off Courtmacsherry shortly after 2.30pm. Advertisement The Yeats was the vessel from which the operation to net Ireland's biggest drugs seizure – - from the MV Matthew – was launched, in 2023 . Sources have said the smuggling operation was a similar method as with the Matthew – the so-called mothership had arrived into Irish waters from a South American port. She was then allegedly met by the RHIB which conveyed the drugs back to shore. It is believed that this was an international drugs gang as opposed to an Irish-only operation, although criminals in Ireland are suspected to be involved. The intelligence for the operation came from abroad and national units, while Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau were leading the Garda side of the operation. The National Surveillance Unit and other specialised national teams were also involved. Revenue Customs investigators were also heavily involved and the Joint Task Force, which is a multi-agency group which deals with largescale interdictions, was stood up. Their specialist search team have been performing a 'deep rummage' search of the cargo ship this morning, and this is likely to go on for a number of days. This is a highly skilled and specialised activity carried out by Customs officers wearing breathing apparatus and occurs deep inside the ship. Despite some reports, the Army Ranger Wing were not involved on this occasion and the military side of the intervention was handled by the Naval Service with surveillance assistance from the CASA C295 Maritime patrol aircraft based in Baldonnel. The four men arrested in the initial stages of the operation continue to be questioned under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act. It is understood the alleged offences they have been arrested for are for enhancing the ability of an organised crime group to commit offences in the State or abroad. Garda and Revenue Customs spokespeople did not respond to queries on the state of the investigation today, and said they could not comment as it was an ongoing operation. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
