£22,000 'DRUG CASH IS SEIZED BY COURT

Almost £22,000 in cash has been seized from Wade John Fitzpatrick by Dublin
Circuit Criminal Court. Customs officers at Dublin Airport discovered
Fitzpatrick carrying the cash in three denominations on October 23rd, 1997,
when en route to Spain.

Judge Cyril Kelly said he had no doubts on the evidence that Fitzpatrick
(26), of Proudstown Road, Navan, Co Meath, was a drug dealer and had the
money for that purpose.

Ms Melanie Greally, for Fitzpatrick, said she had no objection to Judge
Kelly's order that the money be seized by the State.

Mr Shane Murphy, for the DPP, said the customs seized the cash because the
total was greater than the £5,000 permitted to be exported personally.
Fitzpatrick was given a receipt and released by customs officers but was
arrested then by gardai under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Judge Kelly said it was clear Fitzpatrick had been trying to avoid
recognised banking procedures for exporting the cash legally. It was also
well known to the court that Malaga was a major source of illegal drugs.