Seven men will be served with the book of evidence in two weeks in relation to allegedly conspiring to import drugs off the Kerry coast.
The men, who were arrested in Kerry and Clare in January, all appeared before Judge David Waters at Tralee District Court this morning.
The court previously heard that the DPP directed their cases be dealt with in the Special Criminal Court.
Four of the men are charged with conspiring with each other to import drugs worth more than €13,000 into Ireland.
They are 31-year-old Ryan Watson, 40-year-old Gary Monks, both from Glasgow; 30-year-old Conor Costello of Madam’s Bank Road, Derry; and 45-year-old Miljan Koprivica of Bollin Drive, Manchester.
All four appeared via video-link from Portlaoise Prison this morning and confirmed their names and that they could see and hear the court.
Solicitor, Brendan Ahern, representing Mr Costello, and Mr Watson – who was whistling upon entry into the sitting – consented to his clients appearing in person before Tralee District Court in two weeks for the book of evidence to be served.
Mr Monks, represented by barrister Conall Towe, directed by Paul Tiernan Solicitors, consented to the same.
Solicitor for Mr Koprivica, Pat Mann advised his client that the book will be served in two weeks in person and said "that’s at least the good news I can give you".
The other three co-accused are Filipino nationals 29-year-old Feljon Lao, 36-year-old Hanz Pangahin, and 43-year-old Christopher Ampo.
They also face charges of conspiring to import drugs worth more than €13,000, and appeared via video-link from Cork Prison.
Each confirmed they could see and hear the court, and through a Filipino interpreter the Judge directed they were further remanded in custody for two weeks, with the book of evidence to be served.
Solicitor Padraig O’Connell, who represents the three men, advised his clients that the matter is now progressing to the next stage of the procedure.
The seven men will appear in person before Tralee District Court on June 11th for the book of evidence to be served.
