Four men further remanded in custody in relation to major cocaine seizure in West Cork
Christopher Hibbett, Mark Doherty, Ben Sandford, and Levent Gulay. Pictures: Dan Linehan
Four men charged with possession of illegal drugs and possession of illegal drugs for sale or supply in relation to a major cocaine seizure in West Cork on July 1 have been further remanded in custody.
The four appeared by video link before Judge Joanne Carroll at Clonakilty District Court and are charged over the seizure of 440kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of €31m at Courtmacsherry in West Cork.
Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said a file was being prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He said that it was the State’s application to remand all four men in custody to appear again on July 25.
Levent Gulay, aged 31, of Schwabenstraße, Neu Ulm, Bavaria, appeared with the assistance of a German interpreter. His solicitor, Myra Dinneen, presented a statement of means to the court and legal aid was granted.
Conrad Murphy, acting as agent for solicitor Eddie Burke, was told by Judge Carroll that if a statement of means was filed for his client, Christopher Hibbett, aged 44, of Lower Park, Tresillian, Truro, England, an application for legal aid could be adjudicated upon.
Solicitor Plunkett Taaffe for Mark Doherty, aged 40, of Waterfoot Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland, said the question of legal aid in relation to his client was still outstanding and said he was also seeking directions from the DPP in relation to the matter of venue. Judge Carroll said that Mr Taaffe was entitled to a response by July 25.
Mr Taaffe also represented the fourth man, Ben Sandford, aged 42, of Woodgreen, Drum Road, Keith, Moray, Scotland, on behalf of solicitor Frank Buttimer.
Jude Carroll further remanded all four accused to appear again by video link on July 25, 2025.
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