Man remanded on drugs charges following appearance at Portlaoise District Court
Portlaoise Courthouse
A TULLAMORE man was remanded in custody with consent to bail when he appeared before Portlaoise District Court on drug related charges.
Keith Dunne (38), Mohia Lane, Killurin, Tullamore, Co Offaly was charged with possessing drugs for his own use and to possessing drugs for sale or supply when his car was stopped and searched by gardaí on Main Street, Portarlington on 8 April.
Garda James Collins said he was objecting to bail being granted and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody. The defendant’s barrister David Nugent said that he was applying for bail for his client.
Garda Collins said he stopped Mr Dunne driving at 4.35pm on the day. While speaking with him, he, allegedly, detected a smell of cannabis coming from the car. Upon further investigation, he, allegedly, found eight packets of cannabis contained in vacuumed animal feed bags in the footwell of the rear seat with an estimated weight of 8kg and a street value of €160,000 and also found two mobile phones.
He also alleged that the defendant gave him a wrong name when asked.
Garda Collins said, if granted bail, he would be concerned that Mr Dunne would commit further offences or that pressure would be put on him by unknown people to commit further offences and that there may be more charges proferred against him.
Mr Nugent asked what additional charges were being considered, to which Garda Collins said: “Road traffic matters and section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act (possession or importation of controlled drugs worth €13,000 or more with intent to supply).” Mr Nugent said that no actual weight has been established of the cannabis that was, allegedly, found but said it would be less than €160,000, to which Garda Collins agreed.
Mr Nugent asked were the packages concealed or in open view, to which Garda Collins said they were in open view.
Mr Nugent wanted to know what the issue was with his client having two mobile phones, to which Garda Collins said: “He didn’t hand over the pin numbers to us,” to which Mr Nugent said: “He didn’t have to.” Garda Collins said: “If he had nothing to hide.’’ Mr Nugent: “We’re not going down that road.” Mr Nugent said his client is living at home with his parents and that his father, Aidan Dunne, was prepared to provide an independent bail surety of a €3,000 cash lodgement.
Judge Andrew Cody said that Mr Dunne had the presumption of innocence until convicted.
He went on to remand Mr Dunne in custody with consent to his own bail of €1,000, with a €10,000 independent security, as well as the conditions that he remain of sober habits, observes a 7pm to 8am daily curfew, signs on daily at the local garda station, surrender his passport and provides his phone number to gardaí.
The case was adjourned to 13 April at Portlaoise District Court to be conducted via video link.
