Courts / Ireland / Report

MV Matthew accused will seek to have charges dismissed

Summary

In the Special Criminal Court, six of seven men accused in connection with the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew are set to apply for dismissal of charges under the Criminal Procedure Act. The hearings, expected to last three to four days, will determine if the cases proceed to trial. The seized drugs, valued at over €157 million, were recovered in September 2023 during an Army Rangers operation. The six applicants include Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, and Vitaliy Lapa; Iranians Soheil Jelveh and Saeid Hassani; Dutch national Cumali Ozgen; and Filipino Harold Estoesta. However, Vitaliy Lapa is not making an application and remains accused of offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The other six face similar charges, with five additionally charged under the Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Act 2003. Separately, UK national Jamie Harbron, 31, has already pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and 25, 2023. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for later this year. The court noted that details of the dismissal applications cannot be reported. The matter regarding the six applicants is currently at the pre-trial application stage, with the trial itself not yet concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: MV Matthew accused will seek to have charges dismissed. Charges or matters: an offence arising from the seizure. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 24 Incident
• September 26, 2023 Incident
• 15 July Incident
• September 25 Incident
• September 21 Incident
• September 25, 2023 Incident
• 2025-01-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report