Courts / Cork / Report

Man found floating next to 65 bales of cocaine was "bungling stevedore", lawyers say

Summary

The Court of Appeal heard an appeal by Englishman Martin Wanden regarding his 30-year sentence for his role in a €440 million cocaine haul that went awry at Dunlough Bay, West Cork, on July 2, 2007. Wanden, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on July 23, 2008. His counsel argued he was a "bungling stevedore" rather than a "lieutenant," requesting a reduced sentence to facilitate rehabilitation. The DPP countered that Wanden was a fully committed member of the gang, noting he traveled from South Africa with the RIB and held multiple passports. The court also heard that co-accused Perry Wharrie's sentence remained at 17-and-a-half years after the Supreme Court overturned a previous reduction, while Joe Daly received 25 years. A fourth man, Gerard Hagan, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply and was sentenced to 10 years. The panel, comprising Mr Justice John Edwards, Ms Justice Marie Baker, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved its judgment on Wanden's appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man found floating next to 65 bales of cocaine was "bungling stevedore", lawyers say. Charges or matters: his role in a €440 million drugs haul which went awry at Dunlough Bay on the Mizen Peninsula, West Cork on July 2, 2007; possession of cocaine for sale or supply and was sentenced to 10 years on account of his plea. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• July 2, 2007 Other
• July 23, 2008 Incident
• 2019-03-28 Publication

Why: He said Wanden had asked him to "express gratitude to the emergency services today because they saved his life", after spending two-and-a-half hours in the Atlantic. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report