Five men appear in court following raid of illegal cigarette factory in Louth

Four of the five men arrested following a raid on an illicit cigarette factory  in County Louth, are Ukrainian nationals, who flew into Ireland in January, Dundalk district yesterday (Tuesday).

They were detained in a Revenue operation with assistance from members from the crime units at Ardee and Dundalk Garda Station.

Kevin Donnelly (27) of 204 Dublin Road, Newry, and his four co-accused Maksym Kozachuk (40), Maksym Kovbasenko (37), Sergiy Avramov (42) and Yurii Popko (51) all with an address at Richardstown, Ardee are each accused of processing illicit tobacco product and being concerned with the processing of illicit tobacco product at Richardstown, Ardee on March 3rd last.

Apart from Mr. Donnelly, each Garda who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, said they were objecting to bail as the defendants are Ukrainian nationals with no ties to the jurisdiction, who were residing in a mobile home at the location where they were arrested.

READ MORE: Five arrested as illegal 'cigarette factory' in Louth smoked out and dismantled by gardaí

Judge Nicola Jane Andrews remanded three of the co-accused on their own bond of €3,000 to Ardee District Court on April 11th subject to them providing an address to gardai within 72 hours. 

Although their mobile phones have been seized as part of the investigation along with their passports, they must also provide mobile numbers to gardaí on which they are contactable at all times and sign on at Ardee Garda Station three times a week. 

Mr Donnelly was remanded in custody with consent to bail to the same date, on his own bond of €200 and a €2,000 surety.

After hearing Mr Kazachuk had told gardaí he was eager to return to his family in Berlin, Judge Andrews remanded him in custody with consent to bail of his own bond of €3,000 and a cash lodgement in the same amount, to appear before Drogheda District Court by videolink on Monday.