Van Boxtel in action for Dundalk
A former Dundalk and Leeds United goalkeeper, who had failed to appear in court six years ago while on charges linked to a €10.5m cannabis find, has been arrested.
Officers from the garda national drugs unit arrested 40-year-old fugitive Eddie van Boxtel during an operation in Clondalkin, Dublin, late last week.
Mr Van Boxtel had been on the garda wanted list after he failed to appear at Naas District Court and a warrant for his arrest was issued in July 2008.
The former soccer star, with an address at Sillogue Avenue, Ballymun, is charged with possession of a controlled drug, cannabis resin, and possession for sale and supply, at Castlewarden South, Kill, Co Kildare.
After his arrest, Mr Van Boxtel was brought before Naas court and remanded in custody in Cloverhill Prison to appear in court on Wednesday. He was not awarded bail.
Det Sgt Greg Sheehan told the court that Mr Van Boxtel had false documentation when he was arrested.
Mr Van Boxtel was one of four men arrested by gardai following the seizure of a large cannabis haul at Castlewarden on the Naas dual carriageway and brought before Naas court.
His failure to turn up in court for a scheduled appearance came five months after he had been charged with the offence.
Dutch-born Mr Van Boxtel was a well-known goalkeeper and played with several League of Ireland clubs.
He helped Dundalk to win the league in 1995 and also played with Galway United, Monaghan United, Home Farm and Bray Wanderers.
He also spent a season with Leeds United at the age of 17 but returned home after clashing with his manager.
His most famous sporting moment came when he saved a penalty from Eric Cantona during Dundalk’s friendly with Manchester United in the early ‘Nineties.
Source: Irish Independent
