Ireland Crime

Sentencing of four men adjourned to 12 May after they affirmed guilty pleas at Cork Circuit Criminal Court; the drugs were seized after a van was stopped in Courtmacsherry last July.

Four accused entered signed guilty pleas at Bandon District Court and were sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentence.

Four men entered guilty pleas at Bandon District Court on 4 December 2025 and were sent forward for sentencing at Cork Circuit Court on 10 February. The article names the four men with ages, addresses and nationality for Levent Gulay, and lists the charges against them.

Adds three further charges (possession of over €13,000 of cocaine for sale or supply, importation, and possession of items connected with a crime), the DPP's consent to trial in the Circuit Court, and the men's remand in custody to Clonakilty District Court on 18 November.

First court appearance of the four accused at Macroom District Court; all remanded in custody to Clonakilty District Court on 15 July 2025. Gardaí confirmed liaison with UK NCA and that Forensic Science Ireland confirmed a sample as cocaine.

Provides details of the Bandon District Court remand hearing, including the four accused's addresses and nationalities, the detectives who gave evidence, Hibbett's reply to the charge, and the judge's directions for the next appearance at Macroom District Court on 9 July.

Provides additional operational detail including the RIB interception off Waterford by the Naval Service, the specific composition of the cocaine (18 bales of 25kg each), the involvement of Revenue customs and excise officers, and the DPP's direction to charge received Wednesday night.

Provides detail on the customs boarding of the suspected bulk carrier, the arrest process for all four gang members (two by ERU at Broad Strand, two by Naval Service off Waterford), and the ongoing international investigation with MAOC-N in Lisbon.

Provides detailed account of the operation: the RIB crossing from Cornwall, the ferry arrival from Fishguard, the 4am unloading of 18 bales at Broad Strand, the ERU van stop in Courtmacsherry, and the Naval Service pursuit and boarding off the Waterford coast. Identifies the nationalities and ages of all four suspects and confirms they are held under section 50 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 2007.

Initial report of the arrest following the multi-agency cocaine seizure; two men in their 30s and 40s detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007; Senator O'Donovan described it as the biggest drug bust in the country this year.

Initial Garda press release describing the Joint Task Force operation, the van stop in Courtmacsherry, the RIB interception by the Naval Service off the coast of Cork, and the arrest of four men.

Update on court appearances: the two Courtmacsherry-area males have been charged and appeared at Bandon District Court on 3 July 2025; the two Haulbowline Naval Base males remain detained under Section 50 at a Garda station in Co. Cork.

Update (3) to the Joint Task Force operation: a larger motor vessel was identified and searched, crew members were interviewed, and two males arrested at Haulbowline Naval Base have now been charged and are due before Bandon District Court.

Initial report of the arrest operation, providing details of how the drugs were landed at Broad Strand, the van stop, and the Naval Service interception of the boat off Co Waterford.

Initial Garda press release from the day of the operation confirming the van stop, cocaine recovery, and arrest of two males in their 30s and 40s under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, before the later court appearance reported in the existing case.