Latest news with #DrugTraffickingAct
Dublin Live
2 days ago
- Dublin Live
Dublin raids see one arrested and drugs seized as gardai target organised crime gang
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A man has been arrested after a garda raid targeting an organised crime group in west Dublin. The search operation, which took place earlier today, targeted multiple industrial premises in the capital. During the searches by the Dublin Crime Response Team, multiple drugs were found. They included cocaine, ketamine, MDMA and tools used for drug distribution including hydraulic presses. The seizure is estimated to be valued at €415,000. (Image: Garda Press Office) A garda spokesman said: "The recovered drugs include 1.65 kg of cocaine, 4kg of ketamine, and 1kg of MDMA. The total estimated value of the seizure is €415,500, pending further analysis. A man in his 20s was arrested and remains in custody under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at a Garda station in the Dublin Region. The seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for examination and analysis. Investigations are ongoing." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 20s, arrested as gardai seize cocaine, ketamine & MDMA worth €415k after major ‘targeted searches' in Dublin
A MAN in his 20s has been arrested after gardai seized drugs worth an estimated €415,500 in the capital. Cops searched multiple industrial premises in the west 2 The recovered drugs include 1.65kg of cocaine, 4kg of ketamine, and 1kg of MDMA Credit: garda info During the search, The total estimated value of the seizure is approximately €415,500, pending further analysis. A man, aged in his 20s, was arrested and remains in custody under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at a Garda station in Dublin. The drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis and gardai confirmed 'investigations are ongoing'. Read more in News A garda spokesperson said: 'On 28th May 2025, as part of Operation Tara, the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) carried out an operation targeting a criminal group in West Dublin. "During targeted searches of multiple industrial premises in the West Dublin area, members of the DCRT seized quantities of cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, a hydraulic drug presses, mixing agents and bagging equipment. "The recovered drugs include 1.65 kg of cocaine, 4kg of ketamine, and 1kg of MDMA." They continued: "The total estimated value of the seizure is €415,500, pending further analysis. Most read in The Irish Sun "A man in his 20s was arrested and remains in custody under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at a Garda station in the Dublin Region. "The seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for examination and analysis. Gardai investigating Micheal Gaine homicide conduct searches on Kerry farmland after grim discovery "Investigations are ongoing." Separately, The incident took place at a commercial premises in Finglas, At around 5.45pm, while on routine patrol, 'STOLEN' BIKES It is believed the two bikes had been In the course of doing so, the garda was struck. The garda, a man in his 30s, was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University A man in his 20s was later arrested. MAN ARRESTED He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in West Dublin. Gardai are now appealing for witnesses to the incident. A Garda statement read: "Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic incident at a commercial premises in Finglas, Dublin 11 today, Wednesday 28th May 2025. "At approximately 5:45pm while on routine patrol, Gardaí attached to the Finglas Drugs Unit observed two motorbikes at a petrol station on the North Road which were believed to have been subject to an unauthorised taking. GARDA STATEMENT "When Gardaí approached them, the motorcyclists drove off and in the course of doing so struck a member of An Garda Síochána. "The member, a male in his 30s, was conveyed to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injury. "A male aged in his 20s has since been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in West Dublin. "Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please come forward. "Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the North Road area of Finglas between 5:15pm and 6:15pm is asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station." 2 Cops searched multiple industrial premises in the west Dublin area today as part of 'Operation Tara' Credit: garda info
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Three teenagers arrested in Cork following €30k cannabis seizure
The three males, all in their late teens, as well as a man in his early 20s, were arrested after Gardaí stopped and searched a vehicle in the city's northside. During the search, Gardaí found and seized €12,680 of cannabis as a result. A follow up search under warrant at a domestic residence lead to further seizures of approximately €20,800 worth of cannabis and other items. However Gardaí say they are unable to give any further detail on what those 'other items' were. The total value of both searches amounted to €33,480. The four males were arrested under under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act), and are being held at various stations around Cork City. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing while the cannabis has been sent for forensic analysis.
Extra.ie
11-05-2025
- Extra.ie
'Flight risk' former Ryanair pilot on €10m drug charge is denied bail
A former Ryanair pilot charged with possession of more than €10m worth of drugs was planning to move to the US to care for his brother, the former running indoor world champion Frank O'Mara, who is battling Parkinson's disease. 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'.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former Ryanair pilot refused bail on €10 million drugs charge
A former Ryanair pilot, charged with possession of more than €10 million worth of drugs, has international criminal connections, gardaí have 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. 'He [Brendan O'Meara] has international criminal connections regarding the supply of controlled drugs,' Garda Sergeant Rob Sheehy, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, alleged before Judge Marie Keane during a contested bail hearing. Mr O'Meara faces two charges - possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on May 7. Gardaí told the court Mr O'Meara made no reply to the charges, and that 'further, and more serious charges' may be brought against him in respect of the case. The accused did not enter a plea in court. Gardaí alleged that Mr O'Meara had made certain 'admissions' while in custody following his arrest last Wednesday. Mr O'Meara, who was hugged and kissed in the court by his wife, and two female relatives, recently handed in his notice to Ryanair, it was heard. He had been intending to move to the United States to care for his brother who suffers with Parkinson's disease. Sergeant Sheehy said he considered Mr O'Meara a 'flight risk' — and that, if granted bail, the accused would 'attempt to leave the country' and not appear for trial. Gardaí seized pallets of cannabis with a street value of more than €10million euro at Mr O'Meara's home, last Wednesday, May 7. Outlining the alleged facts, Sgt Sheehy said gardaí received 'confidential information' in respect of a pallet delivery at Mr O'Meara's home address. Sergeant Sheehy said gardaí then obtained a search warrant at Ennis District Court, and that, later searching the accused's address, they seized 'an estimated 502kg of cannabis worth in excess of €10 million'. Mr O'Meara was arrested at his home and conveyed to Henry Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act. Sergeant Sheehy said he was objecting to bail because of the 'strength and nature of the evidence' as well as the high value of the drugs. He alleged that gardaí had obtained evidence to support their case, including 'CCTV footage' of Mr O'Meara at a 'courier depot' on May 6, a day before gardaí allege the cannabis haul was delivered to his home; as well as phone records showing alleged 'conversations in respect of the supply of drugs through Europe'. Sergeant Sheehy alleged Mr O'Meara had been 'caught red-handed on his property'. He told the court that the Garda investigation was in its 'infancy', but he said gardai believed that 'it stretches to a number of countries and there are a number of persons that need to be established'. 'We believe granting [Mr O'Meara] bail would hinder the progress of our investigation,' Sergeant Sheehy told the court. He claimed Mr O'Meara was also a flight risk due to his 'aeronautical knowledge', that he has a number of pilots licenses, and has links to the USA. 'He has a Green Card and he is in the process of moving his life to the USA, Columbus Ohio, and he has handed in his notice to his job,' Sgt Sheehy said. Applying for bail, Mr O'Meara's solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said the accused had 'three pilots licences including a helicopter licence, a UK pilot licence, and a EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) licence', and he would 'hand over' his licences to the State and not leave the country. 'His Ryanair crew card is being returned to his former employers,' Ms Godfrey said. The solicitor said Mr O'Meara had obtained a Green Card to live and work in the US, and that he was planning on 'going to America to his brother who has Parkinson's'. Ms Godfrey said Mr O'Meara was also in receipt of an 'Italian residency card' and he would also 'hand over' this, along with his US Green Card, to the State. Ms Godfrey said a sister of Mr O'Meara was in the court and had pledged to act as an independent bail surety for the accused for up to €177,000. Appealing for the court not to hold the accused in custody, Ms Godfrey said Mr O'Meara 'has offered up all the means he could to leave this country'. '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. 'He enjoys the presumption of innocence and I would ask the court not to remand him in custody,' Ms Godfrey concluded. Judge Keane agreed that Mr O'Meara 'maintains his presumption of innocence'. The judge said she was satisfied that gardaí had 'a credible case' in respect of their concerns about the accused being a 'flight risk'. In refusing bail, the judge said she had also considered that the accused 'has ties to another jurisdiction'. Judge Keane described the amount of drugs seized as 'enormous'. 'The seriousness of the alleged offence override's everything else. There is also the nature and strength of the evidence and his [alleged] admissions while in custody,' said Judge Keane. She remanded Mr O'Meara in custody to appear before Ennis District Court via video-link, for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, on May 14.
