Eight charged over State's biggest drugs haul have cases transferred to Special Criminal Court

On September 26, 2023, a joint task force comprising members of the Revenue Customs Service, Naval Service and An Garda Síochána interdicted and detained the MV Matthew, which was on a course originating in South America. File picture: Denis Minihane

Eight men charged in relation to the largest seizure of drugs in the history of the State after a Panamanian cargo ship was dramatically stormed by an elite special forces unit off the southeast coast last year have had their cases transferred to the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

At the three-judge court, State solicitor Ciara Vibien successfully applied to have all eight men’s cases heard at the court, which deals with terrorism and organised crime-related offences.