Court archive
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2025-07-04 · Cork
Six men from Iran, Ukraine, the Philippines and the UK were jailed for a combined 129 years after a 2.2‑tonne cocaine seizure on the bulk carrier MV Matthew. The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sentenced each defendant to a term ranging from 13.5 to 20 years, with the longest term imposed on Dutch national…
2025-06-04
The Special Criminal Court heard mitigation submissions for eight defendants who pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew. The court heard that the Dubai-based organisers considered crew members Jamie Harbron and Vitaliy Lapa "completely expendable" after their vessel, the Castlemore, ran…
2025-06-03 · Cork
The Special Criminal Court heard a sentencing hearing for eight defendants who pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew. Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Soheil Jelveh, Saeid Hassani, Harold Estoesta, and Cumali Ozgen pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply between September…
2025-04-07
In a major drug‑seizure case, eight men have been convicted for their roles in a 2.25‑tonne cocaine haul that was seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian‑registered bulk carrier. The shipment, valued at over €157 million, was intercepted by Army Rangers in September 2023. The defendants—Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32), Vitaliy Vlasoi (32) and…
2025-04-07
Eight defendants have been scheduled for sentencing before the Special Criminal Court on June 3 and 4, following their guilty pleas in connection with the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine aboard the MV Matthew. The vessel, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, was boarded by Army Rangers in September 2023, resulting in what is described as the…
2025-02-13 · Wexford
The Special Criminal Court trial of Saeid Hassani and Harold Estoesta, who are alleged to have possessed 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew, continued with evidence regarding the vessel's navigation systems. Both defendants, who pleaded not guilty to three charges including possession for supply and participation in a criminal organisation,…
2025-02-12 · Castletownbere, Cork
The trial of Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) and Iranian Saeid Hassani (39) continues in the Special Criminal Court, where both defendants have pleaded not guilty to three charges including possession of cocaine for sale or supply and participation in a criminal organisation. The prosecution alleges the pair were involved in the seizure of 2.25…
2025-02-10
Two men have gone on trial at the Special Criminal Court, where they deny possessing 2.2 tonnes of cocaine for sale or supply on board the Panamanian cargo ship MV Matthew. Iranian Saeid Hassani (39) and Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) were arraigned and pleaded not guilty to all charges. They are alleged to have possessed controlled drugs, namely…
2025-02-06
Four men were remanded in custody until February 24 after pleading guilty to possessing 2.25 tonnes of cocaine for supply on the Panamanian-registered vessel MV Matthew. The defendants, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Soheil Jelveh, and Cumali Ozgen, appeared before the Special Criminal Court following the refusal of their application to dismiss…
2025-01-27
Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to attempting to possess cocaine for supply, an offence committed between September 21 and 25, 2023. The court accepted the plea on a full facts basis. Lapa also faces a separate charge of facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation, which the prosecution…
2024-06-24
The Special Criminal Court has fixed a trial date of January 13, 2025, for eight men accused of involvement in the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew in September 2023. The accused are Vitaliy Lapa, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Jamie Harbron, Soheil Jelveh, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, and Cumali Ozgen. Lapa and Harbron…
2024-05-29
Eight men charged in connection with the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history have had their cases transferred to the Special Criminal Court. State solicitor Ciara Vibien successfully applied for the transfer, arguing that the non-jury court is necessary to secure the effective administration of justice. The charges stem from the seizure of…