A convicted drug-dealer yesterday insisted he was only a drug addict who had acted as a courier to feed his addiction and he had never made money from drugs.
Eamon Hargan, of Beechwood Park, Delgany, Co Wicklow, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment last July for drug-dealing.
Det Sgt Paul O'Brien said that at the time of his arrest Hargan was "the most significant drug-dealer on the east coast".
Yesterday, the Criminal Assets Bureau sought the confiscation of his assets at Wicklow Circuit Court.
These comprised bank accounts, a Honda Civic car, a Mercedes van, a motorcycle, cash, and half the value of his Delgany home which he shared with his girlfriend, Ms Irene Collins, and their three children.
Mr Barry Hickson argued the entire house should be confiscated as in all probability it was bought from drug-trafficking.
Judge Raymond Groarke agreed to adjourn the final assessment of the case to July next to consider this submission.
Sgt William Wyldes from the Dun Laoghaire Drugs Division, told the court Hargan began dealing in a small way. By 1997 he was importing heroin from London. He bought half a kilo a time with an estimated profit per trip of up to £80,000. In 1994 he bought a house in Delgany for £67,000.
A CAB officer said at that time Hargan's declared earnings were about £100 a week. He obtained a mortgage of £45,000 from the First National Building Society by submitting a faked P60 claiming he was earning £19,000 a year.
Hargan claimed he had been working as a plasterer and had claimed social welfare on a back-to-work scheme. He also started two businesses, which flopped. The CAB officer said the amount of money going through his various accounts was not consistent with working as a plasterer or being on social welfare.
In direct evidence, Hargan said he had served in the French Foreign Legion from 1984 to 1988 and was posted in Tahiti during French nuclear testing. He claimed he had received compensation for this of £10,000.
However, as the French Foreign Legion did not use cheques, he had to travel to the French town of Oban to collect the cash.
He also claimed that another £10,000 was given to his wife, again in cash, from relatives in New Mexico.
Mr Hickson said: "I suggest that this is Alice in Wonderland stuff."
Judge Groarke said he was satisfied Hargan had benefited to the tune of £717,600 from drug-trafficking.
Hargan was represented by Mr Iarfhlaith O'Neill SC and Mr Pat O'Dwyer.