Application for bail adjourned in major drugs case

A British man wanted in the UK in connection with a conspiracy to import millions of pounds worth of drugs has had his application for bail adjourned by The High Court today.

Philip Michael Baron (aged 55), of Bawnogues, New Road, Straffan, Co Kildare is wanted by British authorities to face four charges.

They relate to money laundering and conspiracy to import 39 tonnes of cocaine and cannabis into the UK from South Africa and Costa Rica between 2005 and 2009.

Mr Baron was arrested at his home close to the K Club in Co Kildare in May on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.

He was refused bail in June after the High Court found that there had been an “evidential deficit” in the submissions made on his behalf.

Mr Justice John Edwards found there had been insufficient documentation detailing his income, assets and liabilities, that he had a lack of meaningful financial ties to Ireland and that there was “good reason” to consider him a flight risk.

Counsel for Mr Baron, Michael O‘Higgins SC, today sought to adjourn a second bail application so the State could provide him with details of its objections.

He understood that the State was planning to use his client’s bank statements and argued that he was entitled to the details. He was also seeking the statements of the witnesses the State intended to call.

Cathleen Noctor BL, on behalf of the State, said Mr Baron was not registered for revenue or social welfare here but had money moving through bank accounts.

She said witnesses had travelled from the UK to be there for the bail application and described Mr O’Higgins’s request as unprecedented.

Mr O’Higgins asked how he was supposed to deal ‘on the hoof’ with a witness getting into the box and reading from his client’s bank statements.

Both Ms Noctor and Mr Justice Edwards pointed out that the records to be used were Mr Baron’s own bank statements. However, Mr O’Higgins said that his client was in a prison cell and he didn’t know which transactions were said to be relevant.

“I want the records and I want some statements as to what they say they mean,” he said. “It’s unanswerable.”

The judge said he had never heard of statements being provided to the defence in bail applications and would not accede to his request for witness statements.

However he described Mr O’Higgins’s request for the banking documents as reasonable and directed the State to prepare a list immediately.

He also acceded to Mr O’Higgins’s request to adjourn the bail application until after he had seen the documentation.

He had already adjourned the extradition proceedings against Mr Baron until October.