The four men charged in connection with Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure are likely to go on trial in Cork next month.
Three of the four men were returned for trial and were remanded in custody when they were brought before the district court in Clonakilty in west Cork this morning.
More than 1.5 tonnes of cocaine worth over €100m was recovered from the sea at Dunlough Bay in west Cork in July.
Armed detectives from the Emergency Response Unit were among the cavalcade accompanying 23-year-old Gerard Hagan, 44-year-old Martin Wanden and 40-year-old Joe Daly from Cloverhill Prison to Clonakilty district court this morning.
Books of evidence, each running to six volumes, were served on the defendants.
48-year-old Perrie Wharrie, who has also charged in connection with the drugs seizure, was not present in court as he is ill.
Mr Wharrie will be brought before Skibbereen District Court next week.
All four are now likely to be tried in November at the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork.
