THE planning of the ecstasy factory operation began at least, 16 months before the Garda raid just as it was going into production.
Terence Fitzsimons told gardai he was approached in 1994 by someone he knew in the security business who told him "good money" could be made by buying chemicals to turn them into an animal steroid product.
He was asked to buy the chemicals needed but had some difficulties because some suppliers demanded to know if he had a licence to handle them.
After some time he was introduced to the English chemist, Brian Cooper, who had been hired to mix the chemicals, but Mr Cooper was not satisfied with the initial products supplied to him.
Fitzsimons revealed that he recruited Raymond Jones into the operation because of his experience as a spray painter dealing with chemicals and suppliers.
When both men wanted out of the operation they were threatened by a Cork man named Alan, who was guiding the operation. He told them others were also involved. They could be shot, he said.
Det Insp John Fitzpatrick agreed with defence counsel that the person named in one statement as the main organiser could have a threat to kill carried out".
Jones told gardai that Fitzsimons instructed him as to what chemicals were needed. Fitzsimons introduced him to the Cork man, who asked him to find premises which could be used. He hired Unit 2 at the Gaywood Industrial Estate for £240 a month and this was paid by the Cork man.
Jones gave details of how chemicals were ordered and stored in rented premises, then moved to Wentworth House in Lucan, where Cooper mixed them. The mixture was then moved to a shed rented from Laurence Skelly at Spricklestown where a tablet making machine had been installed.
Cooper was arrested leaving Ireland on the night, of June 30th, 1995, and gardai moved in on the others. Jones and Skelly were arrested at Spricklestown and made inculpatory statements. Fitzsimons was taken into custody in Castleblayney.
All the defendants expressed remorse for their involvement and said they only realised after some time what they had become involved in. They said they were glad, to be caught and that the operation was stopped before the drug got on to the streets. Skelly told them he felt "like suicide" and was disgusted with himself.
Judge Cyril Kelly noted that an investment of some £50,000 by the criminals could have netted £2 million from one consignment and praised the Garda action which brought it to a quick end.
Supt Malachy Mulligan said investigations were continuing against the invisible men, behind the operation. The main organiser was believed to be a major criminal who had since fled the State.