Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Finance when the alleged drug trafficking ship the MV Matthew will be sold and moved from the care of the Port of Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40981/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by Revenue that, under the provisions of the Customs Act 2015, the MV Matthew was seized by an Officer of Customs on 19 October 2023 following the seizure of €157m worth of cocaine on board the vessel. The vessel is now forfeit to the Revenue Commissioners.

The MV Matthew is currently located at Belvelly Port, Marino Point, Cork, which has been designated by the Port of Cork as the most suitable location given the size of the vessel.

A number of persons are currently before the courts on charges related to this matter and the MV Matthew is to be retained until such time as it is determined that it is not required as an exhibit in those proceedings. I am advised that it is Revenue’s intention to dispose of the vessel as soon as the legal position allows. In the meantime, the MV Matthew remains under the care and management of Revenue as the seizing authority.