Bail refused to three men on drug charges

A bail hearing for three men charged with possessing cannabis worth £340,000 was told at Arklow District Court yesterday that…

A bail hearing for three men charged with possessing cannabis worth £340,000 was told at Arklow District Court yesterday that an attempt had been made to interfere with a witness in the case.

The three are charged with possession of cannabis resin at Ballymurn, Co Wexford, on April 13th last. They are also charged with possessing the cannabis for sale or supply.

Insp Tom Saunderson, opposing bail, said there had been indications an approach had, been made to a witness and this was under investigation.

Mr Davis, a solicitor representing Mr Wolfgang Hausjell, an Austrian, said his client was prepared to hand up his Austrian passport and comply with any conditions imposed by the court in relation to reporting to his local Garda station.

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But Insp Saunderson said Mr Hausjell, from Ballina, Ballymurn, did not have an Irish passport and was separated from his family. "There is no evidence that the defendant will stand trial," he said.

The inspector also opposed bail for the other two defendants, Mr Raymond John Stephens and Mr Georgios Stavrou, a Greek Cypriot British national, both with addresses in Britain.

Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla refused bail and remanded the three defendants in custody to Wexford District Court on May 2nd.