Four men appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with the seizure of €2 million worth of heroin in Dublin.
They appeared at Tallaght District Court charged with having 2kgs of the drug with intent to supply.
Edward Rooney (20), of Oakdowns, Clondalkin, Peter Kelly (32), of Rowlagh Avenue, Clondalkin, and Ryan Kearney (22), of Castlepark, Leixlip, were refused bail and remanded in custody.
The fourth man, Paul Drew (23), of Ferns Bridge, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, was remanded with consent to bail.
Judge James Paul McDonnell ordered the men to reappear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday.
Detectives told the court it was alleged Mr Rooney collected the heroin in Ratoath, Co Meath, and, under surveillance, carried the drugs in a van to Saggart.
Det Garda Brian Sourke said when gardaí moved in the suspect was breaking open a pallet which had concealed the heroin in the rear of the vehicle.
It was claimed Mr Kelly and Mr Drew had organised the movement of the drugs, and were in a second vehicle at the scene.
The four men were arrested on Friday night. Five different premises were searched. Detectives opposed bail on grounds of the seriousness of the charges, the value of the drugs, the likelihood of a conviction, and an anticipation of more serious charges pending.
While lawyers for the men made an application for bail, Judge McDonnell criticised the State for failing to provide a representative for the prosecution.
"It is a scandal this court is asked to weigh the balance between the two sides when the defence is legally represented and the prosecution chooses not to be legally represented."
All four were granted legal aid.