Laois man allegedly found with €400,000 of drugs
Photo for illustrative purposes
A MAN charged with drug trafficking after being allegedly found in possession of €400,000 worth of cannabis at a premises in Athy last year, will have to wait until November at least to be sent forward to teh circuit court.
Before the district court in Athy on 10 September was Jason Tuthill (50), of Barrowhouse Co Laois, who is charged under Section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act after 17Kgs of cannabis, and three kilos of cannabis her allegedly found at AutoChem, Unit 9, Block F, Athy Business Campus on 27 April, 2023.
The S15a trafficking charge is possession with intent to supply a value of drugs worth more than €127,000. Sergeant Dave Hanrahan for the State told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the DPP had indicated a trial by indictment (jury trial in the circuit court), but that he sought a further remand in order that the state might have its case prepared for trial.
The request was noteworthy after the judge had marked the case “pre-emptory against the State”, no further adjournments, at Mr Tuthill’s last appearance on 26 March.
This was in response to Mr Tuthill’s then barrister Donnchadh Craddock pointing out the delay in preparing the case, as on that date it was almost a year since his arrest.
There was also still no certificate of analysis from the National Forensics Labs at Backweston, outside of Celbridge. However, this week Sgt Hanrahan reminded the judge of the weight of the alleged seizure, seeking a date in November.
When Mr Tuthill’s solicitor didn’t raise an issue, the judge then remanded Mr Tuthill back to Athy District Court on 11 November for what should be, though not guaranteed, his reception of a formal trial date.
