'Flight risk' former Ryanair pilot on €10m drug charge is denied bail
Brendan O'Meara [sic], 62, of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, was refused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court.
'He [O'Meara] has international criminal connections regarding the supply of controlled drugs,' Garda Sergeant Rob Sheehy of the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit told the court. Brendan O'Meara [sic], 62, of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, was refused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court. Pic: RTÉ News
He was charged with possession of a controlled drug, and possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply, at An Tulach, Summer Hill, Meelick, Co. Clare on Wednesday.
The court was told Mr O'Meara made no reply when he was arrested, charged and cautioned, and that 'further, and more serious charges' may be brought against him.
The accused did not enter a plea in court.
Gardaí alleged Mr O'Meara made certain 'admissions' while in custody following his arrest last Wednesday.
The court heard that Mr O'Meara, who was hugged and kissed in the court by his wife and two female relatives, had recently handed in his notice to Ryanair. Pic: Getty Images
He had been intending on moving to the US to care for his brother, the three time Olympian Frank, who has spoken publicly about his battle with Parkinson's.
The defendant's family connection to the former runner was not mentioned in court, but sources confirmed the relationship last night.
Sergeant Sheehy said he considered Mr O'Meara a 'flight risk' and that, if granted bail, he would 'attempt to leave the country'.
Sgt Sheehy said gardaí had received 'confidential information' about a pallet delivery at Mr O'Meara's home.
Gardaí obtained a search warrant at Ennis District Court and later seized 'an estimated 502kg of cannabis worth in excess of €10m' at the address. Pic: Shutterupeire/Shutterstock
Mr O'Meara was arrested and taken to Henry Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.
Sergeant Sheehy objected to bail due to the 'strength and nature of the evidence', as well as the high value of the drugs.
He said gardaí obtained evidence to support their case, including 'CCTV footage' of Mr O'Meara at a 'courier depot' on May 6, the day before the cannabis haul was allegedly delivered to his home.
Sgt Sheehy also said gardaí obtained phone records showing alleged 'conversations in respect of the supply of drugs through Europe'.
He told the court Mr O'Meara was 'caught redhanded on his property'.
Sgt Sheehy added: 'He has a Green Card, and he is in the process of moving his life to the USA, and he has handed in his notice to his job.'
Applying for bail, Mr O'Meara's solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said he has 'three pilots' licences including a helicopter licence, UK pilot licence and a EASA (EU Aviation Safety Agency) licence'.
She said a sister of her client was in the court and had pledged to act as an independent bail surety for the accused for up to €177,000.
'He has significant ties here, his wife is in court, his wife's sister is in court, his sister is in court, and his [other] sister passed away six weeks ago,' she said.
This was a reference to Ann O'Mara, whose death notice said she would be 'dearly missed by her loving family', including 'brothers Frank and Brendan'.
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