The English skipper of a converted trawler who tried to land £14.9 million worth of cannabis resin in Co Cork in November 1999 was jailed for nine years at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday. Two men who helped to crew the trawler were each jailed for eight years.
The trial, involving 62 witnesses, collapsed for the second time on Wednesday when part of a statement not heard in evidence was given to the jury during its deliberations.
The original trial collapsed last June when a State document concerning the arrest of the three men was found not to be in order. The third trial had been set by Judge A.G. Murphy for May 2nd.
However, at yesterday's sitting of the court Mr Donal McCarthy, for the State, said the three accused had changed their plea from not guilty to guilty in respect of one of three charges against them, that of possessing cannabis valued at more than £10,000 with intent to supply or sell to others. It was proposed not to proceed with the other charges.
When the single charge was read, guilty pleas were then entered by Richard George Preece, aged 49, of Lorraine Mansions, Waddenham, London; Matthew Paul Simkins, aged 32, of Calle Duque de Tottonne, Cadiz, Spain; and Barry William Court, aged 52, of La Linia, Cadiz.
Det Sgt John Healy told the court the Customs and Excise Service had received information concerning the Posidonia on November 16th, 1999. The Naval Service was called in and the vessel was boarded. Bales of cannabis were quite visible on board.
Det Sgt Healy said Preece was the skipper and had recruited Court and Simpkins. He had become involved with criminal elements in Gibraltar after his ferry business failed. In June 1999 he agreed to participate in the drugs run and sought the services of the other two.
He would have been paid £38,000 and allowed to keep the Posidonia, which was valued at about £40,000; Court, who was acting as the engineer, stood to gain £60,000, and Simpkins would have been paid £40,000.
Judge Murphy said the importation of drugs on such a vast scale was a very serious crime. The appropriate sentence for such a crime would normally be between 10 and 15 years, but there were exceptional and specific circumstances which prompted him not to impose such a term.
Passing sentence to be dated from November 17th, 1999, he ordered the confiscation by the State of the Posidonia and the destruction of the cannabis.