Christopher Tobin (41) of Village Gardens, Port Talbot Wales, appeared before Wexford District Court on December 8 to make a bail application in relation to the offence, where approximately 204kg of cannabis was discovered in a trailer.
Garda Liam Redmond gave evidence that the trailer driven by Tobin was detected at Rosslare Europort having arrived on a ferry from France.
Garda Redmond stated that there were objections to bail due to garda concerns that Tobin would be a flight risk. The court heard Tobin is a UK national, resident in Wales, with no ties to Ireland. However, the court was told that the accused has ties to the UK, Spain, and France giving gardaí concerns that the defendant may not return to the jurisdiction, having both the means and opportunity to leave Ireland.
Ross Pratt O’Brien BL, instructed by Marie Murphy, informed the court that Tobin had only been working as a continental truck driver for ten weeks prior to the date of the incident. The court heard that the defendant has no prior convictions in Wales and does not have a history of evasion.
The barrister also stated that the accused was willing to pay a substantial surety of €5,000 if granted bail. This gave gardaí additional concerns as to the source of the money offered, to which Tobin confirmed is coming from his parents.
Tobin was sworn in and stated that he would make arrangements to appear at every court date.
The defendant confirmed that he was previously self employed and opted to change jobs due to the workload he was experiencing. Tobin previously worked in transport logistics where he was based in the UK, since changing to truck driving the defendant has worked in France, Belgium, and Spain.
Mr. Pratt O’Brien BL informed the court that the parents of the accused can provide a source of the surety funds to An Garda Síochána. The barrister described Tobin as someone who “presents as genuine”, who has never come to the attention of the law previously, and will be contesting the matter and denying the allegations.
Mr. Pratt O’Brien also stated that it will take some time for the certificate of analysis from Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) as well as directions to be given from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Judge John Cheatle remarked that there is “nowhere to run and hide” in Wales considering the relations between An Garda Síochána and the Welsh police.
The Judge opted to give members of An Garda Síochána further time to confirm the address given by Tobin, and to also confirm the source of the funds to be lodged for surety.
The matter has been adjourned to December 15 to allow for these investigations to be made.
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