Gardai recovered almost £1 million worth of cannabis resin from a car after a 90 m.p.h. chase up the wrong carriageway of the Balbriggan by-pass, the High Court was told yesterday.
Det Garda Patricia McGarrity told Ms Justice Macken of the dramatic chase when she opposed a bail application by the man found driving the car who now faces charges of having had 85kg of the drug for sale or supply.
Det Garda McGarrity told the court that Mr Gerard Nixon, an unemployed father of four, from Annahugh Park, Loughgall, Co Armagh, had been "caught redhanded" and had tried to escape on foot after his car had been stopped.
She said because of this and the overwhelming nature of the evidence against Mr Nixon the Garda would be seeking an independent cash lodgement or independent surety of up to £40,000 to ensure he turned up for his trial.
The detective said she opposed bail because Mr Nixon had made statements to the Garda, because of the serious nature of the charges, one of which carried life imprisonment, and because he was a resident outside the jurisdiction.
She said Mr Nixon had been caught in possession of cannabis resin which had an estimated street value of more than £850,000.
Det Garda McGarrity told Mr Aidan Doyle, defending, that the file on the case was currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions and she expected to have his recommendation by June 25th. She anticipated that by the end of the summer Mr Nixon would be sent forward for trial.
Mr Nixon told the court that while he accepted he had been caught red-handed he had not known at the time who was chasing him. He felt his brother-in-law, Mr Lewis McKenna, of Glenview Gardens, Keady, Co Armagh, a painter and decorator, would be willing to put up between £5,000 and £10,000 bail for him.
Ms Justice Macken said she had grave reservations about granting bail but would do so on the basis that he enter into a personal bail bond of £10,000 with one or two independent sureties to come from within the State for a total of £20,000.
She directed that the accused reside with his wife and children at their family holiday home at Finner Caravan Park, Co Donegal, and sign on daily at Bundoran Garda station.