Cocaine trial trio remanded in custody

THREE British men have been further remanded in custody in connection with the biggest seizure of drugs in the history of the state.

Amid very low-key security, the men appeared at a sitting of Kinsale District Court.

The three chatted at the back of the court until Judge James McNulty arrived to preside over the sitting.

Philip Doo, aged 52, from Rocklands House, Higher Manor Road, Brixham, Devon, was first to appear before the judge. He and the other two men are charged with possession of cocaine and knowing that it was “intended to be imported contrary to the law of any state outside the state”.

The charge refers to the seizure of drugs by the naval service 240km off the south-west coast on November 5 last. The drugs were discovered following the seizure of a 65-foot yacht, Dances with Waves.

The yacht was not registered in any country.

Inspector Brendan Fogarty said, due to the serious nature of the charges, gardaí were seeking to have Doo remanded in custody.

The inspector made an application for Doo to be remanded to appear before Schull District Court on Thursday, November 27.

Doo’s solicitor, Flor Murphy, said he had no objection to the Garda application and Judge McNulty duly granted it.

David Mufford, aged 44, with an address at Flat 11, Clennon Lane, Torquay, Devon, was the second man to appear.

Again Inspector Fogarty said gardaí were requesting that Mufford be remanded in custody to appear before Schull District Court on November 27.

Mufford’s solicitor, Myra Dineen, said she had no objection to the Garda request.

Finally, it was the turn of Christopher Wiggins, aged 42, to appear before the court. Wiggins, with an address at Apartment 6, Block 10, Mirador De Castalita, Estepona, Mallaga, Spain, was represented by solicitor Flor Murphy.

Inspector Fogarty sought to have Wiggins remanded in custody to appear at Schull District Court.

Mr Murphy said he had no objection to the inspector’s request, which was again granted by Judge McNulty.