Courts / Ireland / Report

MV Matthew accused get trial date

Summary

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 face alleged possession of drugs and contributing to criminal organisation activity. Gavryk, Vlasoi, Jelveh, Estoesta, Hassani, and Ozgen are accused of contributing to criminal organisation activity, illicit traffic by sea, and misuse of drugs. All charges are alleged or contested, with no pleas entered or findings made at this procedural stage. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated that a guilty plea would only be considered early in mitigation if entered before December 13. The matter was adjourned to October 21 for a video-link mention. The case was transferred to the non-jury court by the State, citing the complexity of the organised crime allegations.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: MV Matthew accused get trial date. Charges or matters: possession of drugs; contributing to criminal organisation activity; illicit traffic by sea; misuse of drugs. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 13, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 13 Adjournment
• October 21 Adjournment
• September 24, 2023 Incident
• September 26, 2023 Incident
• July 15 Incident
• September 25 Incident
• September 21 Incident
• September 25 2023 Incident
• September 24 Incident
• September 26 Incident
• 2024-06-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report