Man accused in Cork cocaine case is former UK detective, trial hears
A former Detective Sergeant in the London Metropolitan drug squad is currently in custody in England on charges of trafficking 200 kilos of drugs six weeks ago – and this man is a brother of one of the men on trial in the €440m cocaine case in Cork, it emerged today.
This matter was raised by defence senior counsel, Blaise O’Carroll who represents Joseph Daly, (aged 41) from 9 Carrisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, in the trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Case officer for the Cork drugs trial, Detective Sergeant Fergus Foley, confirmed that Michael Daly – Joseph Daly’s brother – is currently in custody in the UK for an alleged drug-trafficking offence on May 18/19 related to the alleged importation of 200 kilos of drugs into the UK.
Earlier in the trial in Cork, evidence was given that Michael Daly had been a Detective Sergeant in the drug squad of the Metropolitan Police until his retirement in 1994.
Also today there was evidence that Detective Garda Maurice Shanley questioned defendant Joseph Daly last July and put it to him, “You are now driving a jeep registered to your home address, to what I believe is a fictitious name, with a key to a RIB adapted specifically to import cocaine at Dunlough.” Daly rejected that.
At another stage, the detective asked, “Are you now accepting being in the green jeep?” Daly replied, “No comment.
“Maybe you were driving the jeep, Joe?” the detective asked. “I am frightened to say anything now in case I get in a twist,” Daly replied. Detective Garda Shanley said, “The only thing you do not get in a twist is the truth.” Daly then said, “Yeah, the last statement was said in jest.”
These last pieces of evidence pertaining to different aspect of the case were put before the jury of nine men and three women as the prosecution closed its case yesterday. The trial, which is continuing, then went into legal argument in the absence of the jury.
Perry Wharrie, aged 48, of 60 Pyrles Lane, Essex, England, Martin Wanden, aged 45, of no fixed abode, and Joseph Daly, aged 41 from 9 Carrisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, all deny the charges of possessing cocaine, possessing it with intent to sell or supply, and having it for sale or supply when its street value exceeded €13,000 on July 2 2007 at Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Goleen, Co Cork.
The case arises out of the seizure of 62 bales of cocaine in the waters of Dunlough Bay with a street value of €440m.
