Man arrested over alleged Kildare €4m cocaine haul 'was found lying under bales of hay'

This was the claim made at a Naas District Court sitting.

Eugene Breslin, 45, whose address was given as Ballydawmore, Monageer, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of sale of supply on December 17 last.

Detective Garda Kate Gilligan contested a bail application made by the defendant.

Det Gda Gilligan said the operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs and  Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue and Customs staff and this followed the receipt of confidential information.

She said a horse transporter arrived in Ireland from Cherbourg and later arrived at an address at Rose Cottage Stables, Ballagh Cross, Donadea. It was alleged that the drugs were then transferred into a second vehicle which had been driven by Mr Breslin.

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It was claimed that both men were seen removing bags from the horse transporter and placing them in the second vehicle, a Range Rover.

Mr Breslin initially fled, it was claimed and was found under bales of hay in a hay shed. Vehicle keys were located and two phones were found nearby. An arrest was made and the defendant was taken to Lucan garda station.

She alleged that another defendant in the case was controlled by Mr Breslin.

The garda objected to bail being granted because she feared he may be involved in the importation of further large quantities of drugs to recoup the loss  "because this was a significant loss.”

Cross examined by Donncha Craddock, barrister, she said the defendant has been in custody since December and she said a large amount of data had been secured from mobile phones.

Det Gda Gilligan also said that the other defendant had been observed for a number of hours at the scene before Mr Breslin arrived there at around 5pm and the location was subject to surveillance.

Mr Craddock said the defendant had handed in travel documents and any suggestion that he may be involved in a future incident  is only speculation.

He also said time would be needed to prepare a book of evidence and any prospect of any possible trial getting underway is some way off, at least a year.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said the objections to bail were well founded and sustainable in law and strict bail conditions would not be appropriate. He adjourned the matter to April 22.