Further charges to be brought against accused in MV Matthew drugs haul case

Mallow District Court has heard that the DPP still requires more time to finalise direction and serve the book of evidence to both men

The two men currently face charges in relation to the seizure of more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, that was discovered aboard the MV Matthew off the Cork coast in September 2023. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has indicated that further charges will be brought against two men currently in custody in relation to the biggest ever drugs haul in the history of the State.

Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, aged 48, and Iranian Saeid Hassani, aged 37, both appeared at Mallow District Court via video link from Cork Prison.

Court presenter Sergeant Linda O’Leary told the court that the State would be applying for a further two-week extension to remand both men in custody, as the DPP still required more time to finalise directions. The men were both informed of the request via interpreters who were present in court.

Sgt O’Leary said that it was expected that the book of evidence in both cases would be ready to be served on May 7. 

She told the court that additional charges under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 were being prepared for both men and the new charges would also be presented on May 7.

The solicitor for Mr Hassani, Don Ryan, said that the delay in service of the book of evidence to his client needed to be explained. 

He said that he had received a letter from the DPP which stated that “every effort was being made” to produce the book of evidence, but there had been no real explanation. 

He told the court he would not be consenting to the extension of bail in the circumstances.

Barrister Nicholas Hall, acting for Mr Ozgen, expressed similar concerns to the court about the length of time it was taking to produce his client’s book of evidence. 

He also objected to the extension, and said: “I have deep reservations at this point and would ask the court to note that.” 

Judge Colm Roberts said that he understood the concerns of the legal representatives and said that they were legitimate. 

He said: “We have been reassured the book will be served on May 7, along with the additional charges."

At that stage, hopefully, we can move forward to prosecution on indictment. Progress is being made and this is a very serious matter.

The judge remanded both men in custody to be produced on May 7 to hear the new charges and for the book of evidence to be served.

The two men are already facing charges in relation to the seizure of more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated value of more then €157m, that was discovered aboard the MV Matthew off the Cork coast in September 2023.