Judge warns Cork drug case will be struck out after 13th court appearance

A 47-year-old man accused of having €329 worth of drugs in his possession was remanded in continuing custody on Friday for his 13th court appearance.

Michael Veale, of Cork Simon Community accommodation, has been in custody since May 17.

At Cork District Court, defence solicitor Eddie Burke said his client had now appeared 12 times since being charged and remained in custody over what he described as "€329 worth of narcotics".

Judge David Waters said: “There certainly seems to be delay. I will adjourn to October 15 peremptorily against the State. If there are no DPP directions by then I will strike it out.” 

Mr Veale is charged with possessing crack cocaine and diamorphine (heroin) for sale or supply at Paul Street, Cork, on May 16.

The court previously heard that 12 deals of crack cocaine and four deals of heroin were allegedly found during a search. The estimated street values of the drugs were €189 and €140 respectively.

Mr Burke told the court that there was still no forensic certificate relating to the alleged drugs and no indication of when one might issue.

"This is the only case keeping him in custody and the value of the suspected drugs is quite low in the great scheme of things and is likely to be dealt with at district court level," he said.

Mr Veale was previously refused bail after gardaí argued there was a risk he would continue dealing drugs if released. Detective Garda Kevin Roche maintained the State's objection on that basis.

At an earlier hearing, Judge Waters said the State had made out a strong case that the accused would continue to commit drug offences if granted bail.

"I cannot conceive of any conditions that would address the concerns of the State," he said.

Mr Veale was remanded in continuing custody to October 15.