Four men appeared in court in Co Kildare last night in connection with one of the biggest drugs hauls in the State.
The three Irishmen and a Spaniard were charged with the drug offences after the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation recovered 1.2 tonnes of cannabis with an estimated value of up to €10 million.
The haul was found in a container parked at the rear of a house at Knockirr between Enfield in Co Meath and Carbury in Co Kildare on Tuesday afternoon.
All four defendants are charged with the illegal possession of cannabis and having cannabis for sale or supply at Knockirr, contrary to Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
At a special sitting of Naas District Court yesterday Judge William Earley remanded the men - Philip Breen, José Feminia, Edward Mulligan and Shane O'Rourke - in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Wednesday.
Mr Breen (30), Sheepmore Avenue, Blanchardstown, made no application for bail. Det Garda James McGovern said the defendant made no reply when charged.
Mr Breen's solicitor, Brian Price, made an application for legal aid but Judge Earley said a statement of means would be required before he could decide whether to grant it.
Shane O'Rourke (27), New Inn, Enfield, Co Meath, replied "No" when charged with the offences. His solicitor, David Gibbons, applied for bail because, he said, his client was a self-employed building contractor supporting a wife and family.
Judge Earley set Mr O'Rourke's own bail at €30,000, plus an independent surety of €60,000, requiring a cash lodgement of €30,000 and requesting the accused surrender his passport and sign on daily at his local Garda station.
Mr Gibbons indicated his client was "not in a position to meet those difficult bail conditions".
Judge Earley replied: "In view of the evidence of the prosecution regarding the estimated value of the items seized I think that is a fair figure to fix."
Edward Mulligan (42), with an address at Knockirr, Carbury, also applied for bail and was granted the same conditions as Mr O'Rourke.
Mr Mulligan's counsel indicated his client could not meet the terms, and he was remanded in custody with consent to bail.
The court heard that when charged, José Feminia (54), with an address in Valencia, Spain, replied: "Everything is okay" and "Understood".
His solicitor, Tony Hanahoe, made no application for bail but did request legal aid. Judge Earley said he would need to see a statement of means.
Meanwhile, a fifth man was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the drugs seizure, and is being detained at Newbridge Garda station.