The drugs have been valued at €157 million.

Counsel said that at one point, it was suggested “engulfing the lifeboat in flames” to burn the cargo of drugs, with the accused involved in a voluntary discussion and exchange of ideas

Two men have gone on trial at the Special Criminal Court, where they deny having the 2.2 tonnes of cocaine for sale or supply on board the Panamanian cargo ship in what was the largest such seizure in Irish history