Up to 20 crew still on board cocaine 'mothership' in Cork harbour

The MV Matthew cargo ship at Marino Port, Cork, after it was seized by authorities. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Up to 20 crew members are still on board the cocaine ‘mothership’ docked in Cork harbour after it was intercepted at gunpoint last week.

Many of the remaining crew are understood to be Filipino and are living aboard the 190m vessel, docked at Marino Point in Cobh.

The MV Matthew tried to flee into international waters before it was intercepted by armed army ranger wing members, gardaí, and the navy last Tuesday in what would become the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the State.

The crew, who are all understood to be male, are not detained so are free to leave the ship. 

Although all onboard have undergone preliminary questioning, some may have to be questioned further as more evidence comes to light.

Sources have said that some crew members may have been completely unaware of the illegal cargo that the ship was carrying from South America to Europe.

Layers of Garda security are stationed around the Panamanian-registered MV Matthew bulk cargo vessel, with gardaí securing the perimeter from curious public trying to see or film the ship.

Members of the Garda armed support unit are also stationed around the vessel. 

The ship has been described, by people close to the incident, as "old and grotty" and “vast, with so many hiding places and storage facilities”.

It must now be preserved essentially as an evidential exhibit. It is understood that the State will have to pay significant fees to keep the ship docked at Marino Point.

There is reluctance to move the vessel until it is thoroughly searched due to its important evidential value and the potential for contraband to have been flung overboard.

The forensic search is still in its infancy, with the boat’s interior still intact, although wall panels and floorboards may have to be removed later in the search. 

The search could take many weeks. “This could cost the State millions. It’s like a parking space in a car park. It’s costing thousands,” said a source.