10-05-2025
Former Ryanair pilot remanded over €10m cannabis seizure in Clare
A former Ryanair pilot, charged today with possession of over €10m worth of cannabis, has international criminal connections, gardaí alleged in court.
Brendan O'Meara, 62, of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, was refused bail before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday.
The court heard Mr O'Meara, who was hugged and kissed in the court by his wife and two relatives, recently handed in his notice to Ryanair.
He had been intending to move himself and his family to the United States to care for his brother, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, it was heard.
However, after hearing Garda objections to bail, Judge Marie Keane remanded Mr O'Meara in custody.
Gardaí alleged during the bail hearing that it was their belief that Mr O'Meara was a 'flight risk', and that if granted bail he would 'attempt to leave' Ireland and fail to appear in court for trial.
Gardaí seized two large pallets of cannabis with a street value of more than €10m at Mr O'Meara's home on Wednesday, May 7.
Mr O'Meara was charged with one count of possessing cannabis for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, and with one count of possessing cannabis, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The judge remanded Mr O'Meara to appear before Ennis District Court again next Wednesday, May 14.
