Trucker denies new charge in €2.1m Cork drugs case

The investigation of a €2.1m drug seizure at Ringaskiddy last July saw a 59-year-old truck driver declare, when a new charge was brought against him: “I am not guilty, and I don’t know anything about it.”

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty brought the new charge against Robert Slivar, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ivanic in Croatia, at Cork District Court.

The charge was one of having drugs for sale or supply at a time when the value exceeded €13,000, the threshold for a minimum jail sentence of 10 years, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

He was previously charged with related counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

It was alleged that there was a seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a total weight of 107kg.

Mr Slivar, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium on July 27, was already charged with cannabis possession and having the cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on that date.

Remanded in custody

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, yesterday, at Cork District Court, the defendant has been remanded in custody until February 4 for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said the accused had been remanded in custody since the beginning of August.

“He is not happy, to say the least,” he said.

“He has a lot of problems. He went into custody with an ear infection, and since then he has had to have part of his ear removed. And he has been sleeping on the floor in prison.”

Judge Catherine Ryan asked if the accused was getting medical attention in prison. Mr Kelleher said that he was.

Dt Gda Ryan Dillon previously objected to bail, citing the strength of evidence and the seriousness of the charge.