Cocaine accused challenges phone records

One of the men on trial in Cork's €440m cocaine case challenged phone records today and claimed that the prosecution did not even believe that the accused bought or ever used the particular phone.

A prosecution witness rejected that suggestion made by senior counsel Padraig Dwyer on behalf of Martin Wanden (aged 45), of no fixed abode, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Detailed evidence of texts from ‘Big Al’ and ‘Slim’ received by the phone in question was outlined on Tuesday.

Wanden and his co-accused Joseph Daly (aged 41) from 9, Carrisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, and Perry Wharrie (aged 48), of 60, Pyrles Lane, Essex, England, all deny charges including possession of cocaine when its street value exceeded €13,000 on July 2, 2007 at Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Goleen, Co Cork.

Evidence was presented by the State that a Nokia phone was registered by Vodafone to Steven Witsey, after it was purchased in a phone shop in Bantry on January 16, 2007. The State alleges that Martin Wandon used the alias, Steven Witsey.

However, Mr Dwyer SC contended that the prosecution did not actually believe the evidence it had presented.

He suggested that the so-called Witsey phone was used in Ireland to receive a call on April 1, 2007 at a time when it is alleged by the State that Witsey was – according evidence from to South African immigration officials – in South Africa.

Mr Dwyer suggested during cross-examination of Detective Sergeant Colm Noonan that the particular Nokia phone was definitely in Ireland at the time of the April 1 call. The witness replied: “I do not accept that.”

“You know well and your team believes and knows that Martin Wanden did not buy the phone and never used that phone, that is what your team believes,” Mr Dwyer said.

The detective sergeant said: “I do not believe that.”

Mr Dwyer also challenged particular details of the phone records put forward by the prosecution. “I am saying your report is inaccurate and erroneous in many ways.”

Det. Sgt. Noonan replied, “I would not accept that.”

The case continues tomorrow.