CANNABIS WORTH NEARLY POUNDS 1M SEIZED AFTER CAR CHASE

Gardai recovered almost pounds 1 million worth of cannabis resin from a car
after a 90 m.p.h. chase up the wrong carriageway of the Balbriggan by-pass,
the High Court was told yesterday.

Det Garda Patricia McGarrity told Ms Justice Macken of the dramatic chase
when she opposed a bail application by the man found driving the car who
now faces charges of having had 85kg of the drug for sale or supply.

Det Garda McGarrity told the court that Mr Gerard Nixon, an unemployed
father of four, from Annahugh Park, Loughgall, Co Armagh, had been "caught
redhanded" and had tried to escape on foot after his car had been stopped.

She said because of this and the overwhelming nature of the evidence
against Mr Nixon the Gardai would be seeking an independent cash lodgment
or independent surety of up to pounds 40,000 to ensure he turned up for his
trial.

The detective said she opposed bail because Mr Nixon had made statements to
the Garda, because of the serious nature of the charges, one of which
carried life imprisonment, and because he was a resident outside the
jurisdiction.

She said Mr Nixon had been caught in possession of cannabis resin which had
an estimated street value of more than pounds 850,000.

Det Garda McGarrity told Mr Aidan Doyle, defending, that the file on the
case was currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions and she
expected to have his recommendation by June 25th. She anticipated that by
the end of the summer Mr Nixon would be sent forward for trial.

Mr Nixon told the court that while he accepted he had been caught
red-handed he had not known at the time who was chasing him. He felt his
brother-in-law, Mr Lewis McKenna, of Glenview Gardens, Keady, Co Armagh, a
painter and decorator, would be willing to put up between pounds 5,000 and
pounds 10,000 bail for him.

Ms Justice Macken said she had grave reservations about granting bail but
would do so on the basis that he enter into a personal bail bond of pounds
10,000 with one or two independent sureties to come from within the State
for a total of pounds 20,000.

She directed that the accused reside with his wife and children at their
family holiday home at Finner Caravan Park, Co Donegal, and sign on daily
at Bundoran Garda station.