A Belfast man who put up £40,000 bail for two men facing drugs charges, who subsequently failed to turn up for their trial, failed yesterday in his High Court application for the return of his money.
Mr Justice Carney was told that the two accused had not attended for their trial at the Central Criminal Court on December 6th last and had not been located since.
Mr Stephen Smith, of Lower Falls Road, Belfast, and Mr Liam Mooney, of Loughby Park, Carryduff, Belfast, were due to face trial in Dublin on December 6th last on charges of possessing cannabis resin valued at £210,000 at the Lucan by-pass, Dublin, on October 22nd, 1997.
They were freed on independent sureties of £20,000 each by Mr Justice Carney on November 10th, 1997.
Mr Kevin McAlorum, of Ashfield Gardens, Belfast, had lodged the £40,000 bail sum to secure their release.
