“You never know who you're sitting next to...”

'I don't think I'm boasting when I say that I am one of the most experienced members of the Cork drugs unit' Detective Garda William Dawes told a Dublin court, 'and the moment that Gavin Cray got on the bus and sat next to me, I could tell that he was up to something. First, he produced three small packets from his pocket and began fingering them nervously, and I realised at once that they contained heroin. Then his mobile rang, and he told the caller in a loud voice 'yes I have the stuff. Meet me at the bus station. Bring plenty of money.' After that, he produced some cannabis, rolled himself a joint, and began to smoke it, oblivious to the world.

'I decided not to arrest him there and then, because I wanted to avoid a scuffle on the crowded bus, so I waited until the bus pulled into Cork station before introducing myself and arresting him. I have to say that, purely from a professional point of view, I wasn't very impressed by his business methods. Frankly, I don't think Gavin Cray is the sharpest knife in the box.'

The Irish News 10/2/00