The state has successfully sought to amend the charges facing seven men accused of conspiring to import drugs off the Kerry coast.
The application by state solicitor Diane Reidy was acceded to by Judge David Waters, meaning a further remand in custody for the seven men for another week.
They had been due to appear in person today for the book of evidence to be served on them, but all appeared via video link from their respective prisons.
The state applied to make amendments to the charges against all seven men, who were arrested at piers in Kerry and Clare in January.
They are all now accused of conspiring to import drugs of a value greater than €13,000 into Ireland with each other and other persons unknown, on dates between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025.
Previously, three accused were charged with conspiring with each other and one other person, and the other four were separately charged with conspiring with each other.
It also represents a change to the window in which the alleged offending occurred, which previously was the 11th to 13th January.
Three of the men, all Filipino nationals, appeared via video link from Cork Prison; they are 29-year-old Feljon Lao, 36-year-old Hanz Pangahin, and 43-year-old Christopher Ampo.
Solicitor for these men, Pádraig O’Connell, said this is effectively a new charge and is an extraordinary turn of events.
Mr O’Connell consented to the application to amend the charges against his clients in order to expedite matters, as to do otherwise would cause undue delay.
The four other men appeared on video link from Portlaoise Prison; 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.
Solicitors Pat Mann and Brendan Ahern also consented to the amendments being made on behalf of their clients, with Mr Ahern adding it would be counterproductive to object.
All seven men will now be brought from their respective prisons to Tralee courthouse next Wednesday, when they will be served with the book of evidence against them and sent forward for trial in the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
