Two brothers charged with last week's €300,000 vodka hijack in Co Meath yesterday failed in their bid to be released on bail. The application was unsuccessful after a district court judge sought more information on the source of funds produced in court by their cousin.
Construction workers Simon Maxwell (40) Killynon Cooke, Mullingar, and his brother Thomas (42) Stonehall, Multyfarnham, have been remanded in custody to appear before Mullingar District Court tomorrow.
Longford District Court was told a third defendant - Philip Hickey (44) Grennanstown, Athboy, Co Meath - was not applying for bail. They are charged with handling 22 pallets of stolen vodka after gardaí foiled the hijacking attempt of a consignment of vodka in Dunshaughlin on Monday, April 17th.
A cousin of the Maxwells - Brian Ahern, Ashleigh Drive, Skehard Road, Cork - told the court he was willing to offer independent surety to the tune of €30,000 to secure their bail.
Judge John Neilan however said he wanted further details on how two substantial lodgments of more than €25,000 were made over the last year into accounts held by Mr Ahern in Douglas Credit Union and the Bank of Ireland. He also asked if Mr Ahern's wife, Valerie, knew that an account jointly held in her name was being used in the proceedings.
Mr Ahern said the two lodgments stemmed from an insurance pay-out after his wife was seriously injured in a car crash, and a gift from his mother.
Mr Ahern told the court he was a financial analyst with RCI International and was about to close a deal on a €350,000 house. He rents his current residence.
Mr Hickey was remanded in custody to appear before Mullingar District Court on April 27th.