Court adjourns appeal cases for pair convicted in connection with €440m drugs haul

Appeals brought by two men convicted in connection with the biggest-ever drugs haul in the history of the State have been adjourned to later this year.

Martin Wanden and Perry Wharrie, both from England, were jailed following their convictions for their roles in the bungled smuggling of €440m worth or 1.5 tonnes of cocaine at Dunlough Bay, Mizen Head, Co Cork on July 2, 2007.

They lodged appeals against their convictions with the Court of Criminal Appeal following their trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in 2008.

Today the Court of Criminal Appeal was informed that their appeals, which are due to be herd together, had been held up due to a change in solicitor by Wanden, who is now being represented by Cork solicitor Mr Frank Buttimer.

Mr Justice Hardiman was informed that despite the fact the case involved a large amount of documentation matters were progressing.

Ronan Munro Bl for Wanden said it was hoped that points of his clients appeal would be ready by the start of the new legal term in October.

Mr Justice Hardiman agreed to adjourn the appeals to the next case management list in late October.

Both Wanden and Wharrie, who were not present in court, were convicted by unanimous verdict by a jury of nine men and two women who spent over seven hours considering evidence from some 300 witnesses.

Wanden, of no fixed abode, and Wharrie from Loughton in Essex were both jailed for 30 years.

Sentencing them in 2008, Judge Sean O'Donnabhain noted that none of them were addicted to drugs but were dedicated to the criminal activity.

Two other men Gerard Hagan and Joe Daly, also from England, were also jailed in connection with the drugs haul.