Drug trafficking ship MV Matthew creates 'eyesore and ear sore' for Cork residents 

2.2m tonnes of cocaine, worth almost €160m was then aboard the Panama-registered vessel and it was seized by the State

A cargo vessel named MV Matthew is escorted into Cobh in Cork by after a "significant quantity" of suspected drugs were found onboard. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of organised crime offences.

The alleged drug trafficking ship at the centre of the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the State was described as an “eyesore and an ear sore” by locals where the ship has been berthed in Cork.

Noise complaints had been made to the Port of Cork and the Revenue Commissioners about disturbing engine noise on the MV Matthew, a 28,000-tonne bulk cargo ship which was costing the State €100,000 every week to maintain since it was seized in September 2023.