FOUR MEN and one woman were, night at a special sitting of Cobh District Court, Co Cork, with the importation of Cocaine at the weekend.
The five were remanded in custody at the request of Supt Kieran McGann, of Cobh, and will appear before the District Court in Kanturk, Co Cork, this morning.
They were charged with posses of cocaine for the purpose of to, or supplying, others, and the unlawful importation of cocaine into the State on September 29th at Cobh, Co Cork.
The five were driven from the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork for the hearing at 8.30 p.m. before Judge John Clifford. They were transported to the courthouse in a mini bus, escorted by Garda cars and motor cycles.
A large crowd of people gathered outside the courthouse to see the defendants arrive.
When the court sat, a number of gardai took the witness stand to give evidence of arresting and charging each of the defendants. Four solicitors appeared for those charged.
Judge Clifford told the defendants that application could be made for free legal aid to be applied retrospectively if required.
Those charged were Mr Howard Charles Miller (47), Old Fisherbeck, The Old Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, England Mr Gordon Richards (52), North Hill Cottages, South Hill Lane, Brighton, England Mr James Noel (51), Hospital Road, Castries, St Lucia, West Indies Mr Roman Smollen, (50), Rodney Bay, Marine, St Lucia, West Indies and Ms Theresa Bernadette de Silva Roy (19), of Quadra Casa, Sin Numero, Peurta de la Cruz, Venezuela.