Three people charged following a €140,000 drugs seizure in North Cork

Charges follow discovery of seven kilos of cannabis herb in Kanturk area

Two men and a woman have been remanded on bail after they were charged in connection with a €140,000 drugs seizure by gardaí when they stopped two cars in North Cork at the weekend.

Kieran McCann (41) had already been charged at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Sunday in relation to the seizure of seven kilos of cannabis herb at Dromalour, Kanturk on December 8th.

He had been remanded on bail after being charged with possession of cannabis herb and possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply at Dromalour, Kanturk on December 8th.

Mr McCann, from Kilbrin Road, Kanturk had been remanded to appear at Mallow District Court on Tuesday and Insp Tony O’Sullivan applied for a further remand for the Director of Public Prosecution’s directions in the case.

READ SOME MORE

Judge Brian Sheridan granted the application and remanded Mr McCann on continuing bail to appear again on January 23rd, for the DPP's directions.

He granted an application to Mr McCann’s solicitor, Charlie O’Connor to ease one of his bail conditions and lift a 10pm to 6am curfew from the period, December 21st to January 4th.

A second man, Derek O'Donovan (33), from Inchwell Road, Kanturk, and a woman Rosalind Barton (47), from Barraduff, Co Kerry, also appeared in court in relation to the seizure, which had followed a garda investigation with a regional focus.

Both Mr O’Donovan and Ms Barton were also charged with possessing cannabis herb and possessing cannabis herb for sale or supply at Dromalour, Kanturk.

No reply to charges

Det Garda Declan Keane gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr O'Donovan and he told the court he made no reply after caution to either charge.

Det Garda Fergal Ashcroft gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution in relation to Ms Barton and she made no reply to the charges put to her.

Insp O’Sullivan said gardaí were not objecting to bail for either Mr O’Donovan or Ms Barton, a UK national, once they met a number of bail conditions including, surrendering their passports.

Bail conditions included that Mr O'Donovan sign on once a week at Kanturk Garda Station and Ms Barton sign on once a week at Killarney Garda Station.

Judge Sheridan remanded each accused on their own bond of €500 to appear again at Mallow District Court on January 23rd, for the DPP's direction in the case. He also granted them free legal aid.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times