All four men who accused of €31m West Cork drug-smuggling case plead guilty

Olivia Kelleher

Four men have entered signed pleas of guilty in relation to the importation of 440kg of cocaine worth €31 million at Courtmacsherry in West Cork earlier this year.

Mark Doherty, Ben Sandford, Christopher Hibbett, and Levant Gulay, appeared before Bandon District Cork in Co Cork earlier today. The men had been arrested in July of this year following an operation which involved gardaí, the Naval Service and customs.

All four men range in age from 31 to 45 and are from outside the jurisdiction.

They were all charged with five offences. All four accused were earlier this year charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Meelmane, Courtmacsherry, Co Cork on July 1st 2025.

Last month the four men were charged with a further offence of possession of more than €13,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply.

They were also charged with the importation of drugs contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984, at Meelmane on July 1st 2025.

Mr Doherty of Waterfront Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland and Mr Gulay of Schwabenstrabe Neu Ulm, Bavaria, were also charged with possession of Motorola and Google phones in connection with committing a criminal offence.

Mr Hibbett of Lower Park, Truro, Cornwall, UK and Mr Sanford of Woodgreen, Keith, Moray, Scotland, were also each charged with possession of a rib in connection with the commission of an offence.

The offences occurred on the same date of July 1st last.

Defence solicitor, Plunkett Taaffe, told Judge Joanne Carroll that Mr Doherty and Mr Sandford were entering signed pleas of guilty in relation to all five charges.

Solicitor Myra Dineen confirmed that her clients Mr Gulay and Mr Hibbett, were also entering signed pleas of guilty to all five charges.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said that the DPP had consented to all four men being sent forward for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in the event of them entering signed pleas of guilty to all five charges.

Judge Carroll issued the alibi warning. The men were told that if they were to change their plea, the DPP would have to be informed within a fortnight of Thursday.

She remanded all four men in custody to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 10th next. Mr Doherty is 40, Mr Gulay is 31, Mr Hibbett is 45, whilst the fourth co-accused, Mr Sandford, is 39.