A judge has directed a jury to find a defendant not guilty in connection with cannabis valued at more than £2 million which was seized by gardai.
Judge Frank O'Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court told the jury of seven men and five women there was insufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. He made his decision following submissions by defence counsel, Mr Ciaran O'Loughlin SC.
Mr Patrick Hyland (30), Attracta Road, Cabra, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to possession of 210 kg of cannabis resin for sale and supply on April 5th, 1998, in the car-park of a cafe at Coolfore, Ashbourne, CoMeath.
The jury heard that he had pleaded with armed detectives not to shoot when they arrested him. He shouted out: "Jesus, take it easy. Don't shoot. It's only a bit of hash for f . . k's sake." Det Garda Paul Doran said when he entered these words into his notebook, Mr Hyland told him: "I didn't think you'd be writing that down."
Gardai had agreed with Mr O'Loughlin, defending, that no drugs were found when Mr Hyland's car was searched. They also agreed that no fingerprints were found on a lorry, a van or the car to associate him with the drugs.
Judge O'Donnell thanked the jury for their attention throughout the two-day trial and told Mr Hyland he was free to go.
Earlier this week, a man caught transferring the cannabis from a lorry into a van in the car-park was jailed for 6 1/2 years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne. William Hynes (33), of Dunsink Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of the cannabis with intent to supply on April 5th, 1998.