A bench warrant was issued yesterday for the arrest of a Co Clare businessman, who is alleged to have imported the largest-ever quantity of contraband cigarettes seized in the west of Ireland.
Mr James "Jamie" O'Connor, originally from Tubber in Co Clare, who is now understood to be running a bar in Spain, did not appear at Ennis District Court yesterday, but was legally represented.
Mr O'Connor also failed to appear at an earlier hearing in June. Solicitor for the accused, Mr Leo Branigan, confirmed to Judge Joseph Mangan at the June sitting that his client was no longer in the jurisdiction.
Mr O'Connor, who owned a tiling, flooring and fireplace business in Ennis town faces charges under Section 119 of the Finance Act 2001, for the evasion and attempted evasion of duty on cigarettes.
The charges relate to an operation on December 6th, 2001, when Customs officials, backed up by armed members of the Garda, seized more than 3.5 million cigarettes near Clarecastle in Co Clare.
The haul was discovered in a warehouse unit at Ballybeg, about a mile from Ennis town. More than 3.5 million cigarettes were recovered, valued at almost €890,000 and the potential duties have been estimated at €635,000.
Customs officials were lying in wait at the premises for most of the day and swooped after a rented lorry arrived at the warehouse.
Four people were found in the rented building at the time. However, only one other person is facing charges in relation to the seizure.
The haul is understood to have originated in Greece and arrived in this country in a 40-foot container.
The consignment arrived in Ennis in a truck, which had been rented in Co Galway.
The cigarettes were packed into dozens of plastic bags and were being transferred to boxes when the men were surprised by officers.
Yesterday's hearing was adjourned until October 17th next at the request of the State Solicitor for Clare, Mr Martin Linnane. A second defendant in the case is also expected to face charges on that date.