CANNABIS CASE REVIEW EXPECTED

Solicitors for three Britons charged with importing pounds 15 million
worth of cannabis resin into the Republic said yesterday they hope to
obtain a date for a judicial review of the State's handling of the
case within a month.

Mr George Preece (49), Mr Barry Court (52) and Mr Matthew Paul
Simpkins (32) are facing charges of importing pounds 15 million worth
of cannabis resin and possessing the drug for sale or supply in Irish
territorial waters last November.

But solicitors for the three men have obtained leave from Mr Justice
Lavan in the High Court to seek a judicial review against the Director
of Public Prosecutions and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. They are
seeking the review after the State entered a "nolle pro sequi" in
respect of similar charges at Cork Circuit Criminal Court last month,
when it emerged that the State had failed to include a certificate
from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The certificate from the Minister is a required proof under the
Maritime Jurisdiction Act of 1959 in cases where the State takes
proceedings against aliens for offences alleged to have happened in
Irish territorial waters. All three defendants were released from
custody on the order of Judge A.G. Murphy at Cork Circuit Criminal
Court on May 16th, but they were rearrested minutes later and brought
to Clonakilty District Court where new charges were preferred.

Solicitors for the defendants - with addresses in London and Cadiz,
Spain - told Judge James O'Connor at Bandon District Court yesterday
they hoped to obtain a date for the judicial review within a month.
Judge O'Connor remanded all three in continuing custody until June
16th, when they are due to appear again at Bandon District Court.