One of three defendants charged in connection with the seizure of €440m worth of cocaine in west Cork last year has denied any knowledge of the drugs.
Joe Daly from Kent, England said he was asked to come to Ireland by his brother, a former detective sergeant in the drugs squad in London who is now in custody in England charged with drug trafficking.
The 41-year old bricklayer is the only one of the three defendants to give evidence in this trial so far.
He told the jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that he was a regular visitor to west Cork, and visted twice last June at the request of his brother Michael.
The State alleges that the rigid inflatable boat, which was found up-turned in Dunlough Bay surrounded by bales of cocaine last July was brought by ferry to Ireland by Joe Daly.
He said he was awoken on the morning of 2 July last year by a co-defendant Perry Wharrie and another man who told him his brother Michael was in trouble at sea.
When they arrived at Dunlough Bay he saw the white packages floating in the sea. He said it did not look good and he and Mr Wharrie fled, he was arrested two days later.
Joe Daly told the jury his brother Michael had given him no inkling whatsoever about his plans in Ireland.
The trial continues tomorrow.
