Date set for €100m drugs trial

THE case of Ireland’s biggest drugs haul will not go to trial until May.

The case, involving the sinking of a boat at Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Goleen, Co Cork, last July and the recovery of an estimated €100 million worth of cocaine, was before Cork Circuit Criminal Court for mention yesterday.

Prosecution counsel Tom Creed asked Judge Patrick J Moran to list the case for trial on May 21 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Perry Wharrie, 47, of 60 Pryles Lane, Essex, England, Gerard Hagan, 23, from 85 Hollow Croft, Liverpool, Joseph Daly, 40, from 9 Carisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, and Martin Wanden, 44, who is also English but has no fixed abode are charged with possessing cocaine with intent to sell or supply, on July 2, at Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Goleen, Co Cork. The prosecution has served the bulk of the evidence already and the remainder of the documentation will be served shortly by registered post, Mr Creed said.

Judge Moran was told the prosecution would be ready to start the case in March but that the defence needed more time to consider the evidence.

Solicitor for Wharrie and Daly, Michael McVerry, said yesterday his clients were more interested in a fair trial than a speedy one. James O’Mahony, senior counsel for Hagan, and Gerry Hyland, solicitor for Wanden, were in agreement with the case being put back until May.

More than 400 witnesses are listed in the books of evidence and the case will see international evidence from Lithuania, America, Spain and the Caribbean.