383 witness statements in cocaine haul trial

ALMOST 400 witnesses have made statements to gardaí in the case of the biggest drugs haul in Ireland, it emerged in court yesterday.

Four men remain in custody, awaiting trial, following the summertime seizure of bales of cocaine — estimated to be worth tens of millions of euro — off the west Cork coast.

Security throughout the courthouse at Washington Street, Cork, was intense as members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit took up positions inside and outside the building.