Courts / Ireland / Report
MV Matthew costing State €100k per week to maintain, court hears
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard that the State is paying €100,000 a week to maintain the MV Matthew, the cargo ship seized by Army Rangers in September 2023. The ship was boarded in a dramatic operation that resulted in the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, valued at about €157 million. The State will apply next month for a declaration that the preservation of the MV Matthew is no longer required. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions explained that the ship has been preserved to protect the fair‑trial rights of eight men accused of offences related to the drug seizure. Each legal team has been told they can visit and inspect the ship, and Revenue agents will continue to make it available for the next four weeks. The State does not wish to incur the €100,000 per‑week maintenance cost beyond that.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: MV Matthew costing State €100k per week to maintain, court hears. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- September 2023 Other
- November 19, 2023 Adjournment
- November 4 Adjournment
- 2024-10-21 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Outcome: Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, presiding in the three-judge court, adjourned the matter to November 4.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Charge Or Pretrial
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