A Co Clare businessman charged in connection with a substantial drugs haul on Friday failed yesterday to get bail due to Garda fears that he may abscond.
At Killaloe District Court yesterday, Thomas Lennon (35), of Killestry, Killaloe, faced four charges relating to having ecstasy and cannabis at Ross, Killaloe, for the purpose of supply contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1988.
Insp Tom Kennedy told the court that an examination of the ecstasy and cannabis relating to the charges put the value of the drugs at €2.1 million; €2 million worth of cannabis and €100,000 of ecstasy.
He told the court that the €2.1 million estimate does not represent the full amount of the drugs and that further examination of the haul had to be made.
Insp Kennedy said gardaí were opposing a bail application due to the seriousness of the offence, the weight of evidence against Mr Lennon and concerns that he might flee.
Insp Kennedy said: "Because of the gravity of the situation Mr Lennon finds himself in, we believe that he won't answer the charges."
He said more serious charges may be brought against Mr Lennon arising from the drugs haul pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Det Garda Tom Barber, from the National Drugs Unit, told the court that it would be alleged that gardaí stopped a red Ford Transit near Killaloe on Friday morning and that Mr Lennon was its driver.
He said it would be alleged that Mr Lennon made certain admissions in relation to his conduct and the contents of the van at the scene.
Det Garda Barber said that, following an examination of the van, a large quantity of drugs was found.
The drugs found included 300kg of cannabis, 100,000 ecstasy tablets, 10kg of cocaine and 5kg of amphetamine.
Solicitor for Mr Lennon, Ted McCarthy, said Det Garda Barber's evidence involved allegations, and that the seriousness of an offence or the weight of evidence should not be a bar to bail.
Mr McCarthy said Mr Lennon has no previous convictions and had no history of breaching bail.
He said Mr Lennon had a business in the Killaloe area, was married with a young child and had four children from a previous relationship.
However, Judge Joseph Mangan refused bail due to the likelihood that Mr Lennon may abscond, the weight of evidence against him and the seriousness of the alleged offence.
Mr Lennon was remanded in custody to reappear before Ennis District Court on July 28th.
