Accused '˜had drug habit debt of £10,000'

Robert Byrne owed money to “sinister elements” after the loss of his business resulted in him becoming addicted to cocaine, a defence lawyer claimed.

The 37-year-old, from Moneymore in Drogheda, Co Louth, was arrested along with lorry driver Gerard Bates, 24, during a police operation on January 26.

Officers recovered 50 kilos of herbal cannabis after stopping and searching two vehicles at Dargan Road in the north of the city.

Both men face charges of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply, and being concerned in its supply.

Bates, of Watsonville in Lurgan, Co Armagh, faces an additional count of unlawfully supplying cannabis to another person.

As Byrne mounted an unsuccessful application for bail, prosecutors disclosed details of the alleged plot to import the drugs consignment into Northern Ireland.

Bates claimed during police interviews that he had been contacted by unknown men and offered cash to collect what he thought was tobacco in England.

He was to transport the goods across the Irish Sea and pass them over to Byrne, it was alleged.

The court heard he drove to an industrial estate near Dartford where two men with southern Irish accents met him and loaded boxes on his lorry.

According to Bates’ account, he picked up a legitimate load of chilled meat in Scunthorpe and then crossed by ferry back to Belfast.

It was claimed that he was to rendezvous at Dargan Road, with Byrne getting lost at one stage.

Although Bates was previously granted bail, the prosecution argued that his co-accused should remain in custody.

Defence counsel insisted Byrne’s alleged involvement was linked to a severe addiction to cocaine he developed after his dry lining business went bust.

Refusing bail, however, the judge said: “I’m satisfied there’s a reasonable suspicion he will not turn up for his trial and may re-offend.”