Drug trafficker's haulage licence may be revoked

MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey has indicated a decision to grant an international haulage licence to a convicted drug trafficker may be overturned.

Kieran Boylan from Co Louth holds a five-year licence which was granted by officials in the Department of Transport. Fine Gael and Labour yesterday described the decision to grant the licence as a “cover-up” and “scandalous”.

Besides his previous convictions, Mr Boylan also faced charges of being in possession of €1.7 million of drugs. However, a nolle prosequi was entered in circumstances that have not been explained.

Labour’s justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte has raised the decision not to proceed with the case on a number of occasions in the Dáil and has stated that it is his belief that Mr Boylan was either a Garda informant or was being protected by individual gardaí.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Dempsey said he was very concerned that Mr Boylan had been awarded a licence. He said that he has received a preliminary report on the matter, has asked for a full report, and is referring the matter to the Attorney General.

He said the law in this area might not be as clear as it should be and that it might be necessary to review it and introduce fresh primary legislation.

“I am satisfied that officials in my department acted at all times above board. There was a judgment call made at the end. I’m not happy that it’s the right decision. That’s why I want to have it reviewed,” he said.

Fine Gael’s justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said that there were fears of a cover-up.

Calling for the licence to be revoked, he said: “This issue is rotten to the core. The Minister is hiding behind his calls for an inquiry.”

Mr Rabbitte said Mr Boylan was caught “red-handed” with drugs but that, “for some reason a nolle prosequi was entered on the last day of the court term, without notice to the court and without notice to lawyers.”

Mr Rabbitte said granting the licence was scandalous, particularly because the applicant was required by its terms to be of good repute.

He said that he had written to the Director of Public Prosecutions about the case, but that no public statement has been made.

Commissioner Fachtna Murphy contacted the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission yesterday, which confirmed it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the granting of the licence.