Further evidence heard in cannabis trial

A jury at the trial of two men accused of conspiracy to possess drugs have heard allegations that a car containing the accused men changed direction after seeing a large number of gardaí in a west Dublin car park.

Cannabis resin valued at over €2m was later found by gardai in 14 boxes split between a Ford Transit van and an Opel Astra in Browns Barn public house car park.

William Hynes (aged 43) of Park Close, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath and John Mangan (aged 41) of Whitestown Green, Blanchardstown, have both pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to conspiring with others to possess cannabis resin and conspiring with others to possess the drug for sale or supply on July 31, 2006.

Sergeant Sean Delaney told Mr Eanna Mulloy SC (with Mr Paul Carroll BL), prosecuting, that he was driving an unmarked patrol car when he observed a white Ford Transit van had been stopped by gardaí at Browns Barn. He said he recognised the driver as a third man, not before the court, and said he was standing beside the van.

Sgt Delaney said he saw a green Citroen driving down a slip road driven by Mr Hynes with Mr Mangan as a passenger. He said the two men saw the number of gardaí in the car park of Brown’s Bar and the driver turned the vehicle around and headed back on the slip road.

The witness said he got back into his own car to pursue the Citroen and saw that it had come to a halt at the top of the slip road. He got out of his vehicle and approached the driver’s door.

Sgt Delaney said he arrested Mr Hynes while other officers dealt with Mr Mangan.

Garda Diarmuid Maguire said he accompanied Sgt Delaney and searched Mr Mangan. He said he seized a mobile phone he found on Mr Mangan’s person.

Garda Joe Enright said he found a second phone on the console of the green Citroen and another phone was seized from the third man at the scene. He said he logged these as exhibits and later handed them over for analysis.