Revenue’s disposal of the MV Matthew
On 18 July 2026, Revenue confirmed the departure of the MV Matthew from the Port of Cork. In September 2023, Revenue detained and seized the MV Matthew pursuant to its powers under customs legislation, after an interdiction of the vessel at sea led to the detection and seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine with a value of €157 million. It was the largest seizure of cocaine in the State and the largest seizure in Europe that year. This operation by the Joint Task Force of Revenue, An Garda Siochána and the Naval Service was supported by a team from the Army Rangers Wing deployed from an Air Corps helicopter, who were authorised as Customs Officers, and fast roped on to the vessel in high seas where they secured the ship and prevented the destruction of critical evidence.
Revenue detained the vessel and seized the cocaine. An Garda Siochána arrested six of the crew and the two men who crewed the ‘daughter vessel’, the Castlemore, which sank off the coast of Wexford. They were found guilty at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced on 4 July 2025 to terms of imprisonment ranging from 13 and a half to 20 years imprisonment.
Detaining and seizing a vessel the size of the MV Matthew is without precedent in this jurisdiction. Its interdiction and seizure have significantly disrupted the activities of organised crime gangs, protecting society from the lasting and detrimental impact that such illegal importations cause.
The disposal of the MV Matthew remained a key priority for Revenue following its seizure. However, this process could not proceed until December 2024 as the vessel was required for evidential purposes.
There were significant regulatory and legal obligations that had to be satisfied to facilitate the removal of the MV Matthew from the Port of Cork. The process was complicated due to the vessel’s previous use as a conveyance for international drug smuggling. The regulatory and legal requirements for departure of the vessel, given the manner in which it was used by the organised crime gang, could only be achieved through ongoing engagement with international parties to resolve the complex issues that presented.
As no party claimed ownership of the vessel following its seizure, it was necessary for Revenue to take steps to ensure that the vessel was safely secured and maintained. With the assistance and cooperation from the Port of Cork, the priority was to ensure that there were no adverse environmental impacts or health and safety risks arising from the detention and berthing of the vessel.
In December 2025, Revenue completed all registration of title requirements with the Panama Maritime Authority Ships Registry, the vessel’s Flag State. This was an important step which facilitated Revenue entering into an agreement with a party to acquire the vessel and move towards its departure.
Revenue reports that safely managing and maintaining the vessel to date has cost in the region of €17 million. Ultimately, an international shipping company acquired the MV Matthew for a nominal consideration of $1 with an agreement to tow the vessel to Varna in Bulgaria under a single voyage exemption by way of a dead ship tow.
Revenue’s approach has been to fund what was necessary to safely maintain the MV Matthew. This included essential repair and maintenance costs as and when they arose. While the cost arising from its detention has been significant, the seizure of the vessel was unprecedented and represented a significant internationally recognised outcome in the fight against organised crime.
Revenue continues to collaborate with our international colleagues in the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC (N)) based in Lisbon, OLAF and Europol, and our international Customs colleagues in the EU and World Customs Organisation in developing and implementing an effective detection and intervention strategy to combat smuggling and disrupt the activities of organised crime.
With responsibility for Ireland’s border control, Revenue will continue this work with its domestic and international law enforcement partners ensuring that Revenue continues to obstruct the activities of organised crime gangs. Revenue will tailor and develop its responses as necessary to deal with the ongoing emerging threats posed by these illegal activities as further demonstrated by the recent joint operation involving Revenue and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau during which a fully operational cocaine extraction laboratory was discovered in Kildare.
[ENDS 18/07/2026]