COCAINE CASE ACCUSED SAYS HE DISAPPROVES OF DEALING

A man charged in connection with the discovery of IEP40 million worth of
cocaine aboard a catamaran in Kinsale, Co Cork, in September has told a
court he does not approve of drug dealing.

Mr John O'Toole (52), born in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, but with an address at
Via Argentina, Panama City, told Cork Circuit Criminal Court he believed
drug dealing was wrong and harmful.

"I don't like drug dealers because of what they do. It's all mafiosa, gangs,
killings and that sort of thing. I don't agree with it. It's just not in me.
Drugs are totally wrong."

Mr O'Toole was giving evidence during his trial on five charges including
importing cocaine, offering to supply cocaine and having cocaine for sale or
supply in Kinsale between August 31st and September 5th last year.

Yesterday, he told how, following his move to Panama with his late wife,
Gabriela, who was suffering from cancer, he was introduced to a man in a
yacht club at Panama City who asked him to take drugs to Europe. "I was sort
of shocked - I had never been approached like that before ... I refused
point blank."

Cross-examined by Mr John Edwards SC, prosecuting, he said the man gave him
$5,000 to help with his wife's medical costs but he denied he knew there
would be strings attached. "I made it plain that I did not want to get
involved - I never thought it would come to what it did - it was a nightmare
. . . I thought at the time that he was genuinely sorry for me and my wife
and he had money and he wanted to help."

The court had earlier heard that Mr O'Toole later received $70,000 in
payments of $4,000 and $5,000 on a monthly basis over a year from the man.

The court heard that in his statement to the Garda, Mr O'Toole said the man
later said to him: "You take the boat to Europe or I'll take the boat and
you're dead."

The statement continued: "This man then attacked me and beat me up in a car
park in Panama City and he wanted me to go. I agreed to go as I felt I had
no choice and needed cash to treat my wife's cancer." The court heard he was
to be given $300,000 less the $70,000 for the trip.

The case continues.