Latest news with #MisuseofDrugsRegulations2017
Irish Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man appears before court charged in connection with €1.6m drugs haul in Wexford
A 46-year-old man charged in connection with a €1.6m drugs haul in County Wexford appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court Sunday afternoon. Fintan Fanning of Slaney Drive, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, came before Judge Kevin Staunton. Fanning was charged with on July 18 at Tincurry, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, he had in his possession a controlled drug, namely Cannabis, for the purpose of selling or supply to another in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 and 2019 under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1972. Herbal cannabis worth an estimated €1.6m was seized at Tincurry, Ballycarney, on Friday last following a targeted joint operation involving An Garda Siochana and Revenue's Customs Service. In the course of a joint operation conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue Officers, a van was intercepted by Gardai in Ballycarney, Wexford, on Friday last, July 18. During the search of the van, approximately 80 kilos of herbal cannabis was discovered with an estimated street value of €1.6m (pending analysis). The accused was arrested at the scene and was detained for questioning under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The accused appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit, with slight beard, and heavy tattooing around the neck area. He said close to his lawyer during the hearing which lasted less than ten minutes. Det. Garda Dean Healy told Judge Stauntion that on July 19 he arrested the accused and charged him as set out on the charge sheet. He arrested the accused at 15.56 and charged him at 16.03. When the charge was put to the acused he made 'no comment' said Det. Healy. Defence Counsel, Craig Phillips, B.L. instructed by Eoin O'Sullivan, Solicitor, said there would be no application for bail. He applied for free legal aid but no statement of means is yet available to the court, but would be provided at a later date. Sergt. Stephen Ennis told the court he would be seeking a remand in custody to appear before Wexford District Court on Tuesday next via video link. Judge Staunton said he would grant free legal aid subject to a statement of means being made available to the court. Judge Staunton remanded the accused, as requested, in custody to appear before Wexford District Court via video link on Tuesday night. Following the short hearing the accused was escorted from the court by two Gardaí. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
RTÉ News
20-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Man charged over €1.6m cannabis seizure in Co Wexford
A 46-year-old man has been charged in connection with a €1.6m drugs haul in Co Wexford. Fintan Fanning of Slaney Drive, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a special sitting of Gorey District Court. Mr Fanning was charged with possession of a controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supply to another in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 and 2019 under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1972 at Tincurry, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, on 18 July. Det Gda Dean Healy gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Fanning. Defence Counsel Craig Phillips BL, instructed by solicitor Eoin O'Sullivan, said there would be no application for bail and applied for free legal aid. Judge Staunton said he would grant free legal aid, subject to a statement of means being made available to the court. Judge Staunton remanded the accused in custody to appear before Wexford District Court via video link on Tuesday night.
Irish Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Semi-synthetic cannabis will be criminalised 'within weeks'
Semi-synthetic cannabis will be criminalised and made a Schedule 1 drug 'within weeks', Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has confirmed. It follows a call from doctors to outlaw the drugs, which are commonly obtained in vape form, following a rise in their popularity among teenagers and young people. Aontu TD Paul Lawless asked Minister Carroll MacNeill the date for when legislation will classify hexahydrocannabinol, known as HHC, as a schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework, with a particular focus on its use in vaping and the risks of accessibility to minors. The Minister confirmed the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 will be 'amended to include HHC as a Schedule 1 drug subject to the strictest levels of control'. She added: 'While I cannot put a precise date on this, I expect it to happen within the next weeks.' Controlled drugs in Schedule 1 have the most restrictions on them because of their strong potential for abuse. Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, LSD, marijuana, MDMA and ecstasy. Deputy Lawless told us he welcomed the impending ban as he questioned how these products were being marketed to young people. He said: 'I welcome the news that the government will classify HHC as a controlled drug but we also need legislation to deal with how these products are marketed. 'They're being displayed like sweets in a sweetshop. The HHC vapes are brightly coloured and with scents of cotton candy and bubblegum. They are strategically designed to get children and young people hooked on them at an early age. 'These companies know what they're doing and there needs to be legislation to deal with this. When a young person in Mayo says HHC has torn their life apart, we have to listen. 'The fact that this substance can still be bought legally across the country is deeply alarming. The Government has a responsibility to act swiftly.'
