Man accused of having cigarettes for sale

An Armagh man accused of having 20,000 cigarettes and 240 packets of loose tobacco for sale at the weekend in Cork without payment of duty told gardaí he was in Cork for a stag night but later said he was in the area for a road bowling match.

That was the evidence given yesterday by Det Sgt Patrick Murphy in respect of Paul Mackle, aged 51, of Clonmaine Rd, Loughall, Co Armagh, at Cork District Court.

However, Mr Mackle denied giving either account to gardaí. He said he did not tell them he was in Cork for either a stag or a bowling match. Det Sgt Murphy alleged that Mr Mackle had €20,000 worth of tobacco products on which there was €12,000 lost to the State in terms of unpaid duty.