'I don’t know anything about it,' says truck driver charged with €2.1m drug seizure in Cork

It is alleged that there was a seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a weight of 107kgs

The accused, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium on July 27 was already charged with cannabis possession and having the cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on that date. File picture: Larry Cummins

The investigation of a €2.1m drug seizure at Ringaskiddy last July saw a 59-year-old truck driver declaring when a new charge was brought against him: “I am not guilty and I don’t know anything about it.” 

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty brought the new charge against Robert Slivar of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ivanic in Croatia, at Cork District Court. 

The charge was one of having drugs for sale or supply at a time when the value exceeded €13,000 — the threshold figure for a minimum sentence of 10 years unless there are exceptional circumstances. He was previously charged with related counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

It follows an investigation where it was alleged that there was a seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a weight of 107kgs.

Mr Slivar, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium on July 27 was already charged with cannabis possession and having the cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on that date.

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher now at Cork District Court, the defendant has been remanded in custody until February 4 for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said the accused had been remanded in custody since the beginning of August and “he is not happy, to say the least". 

"He has a lot of problems. He went into custody with an ear infection and since then he has had to have part of his ear removed. And he has been sleeping on the floor in prison.” 

Judge Catherine Ryan asked if the accused was getting medical attention in prison. Mr Kelleher said that he was.

Detective Garda Ryan Dillon previously objected to bail in the case citing the strength of evidence and the seriousness of the charge facing the accused.