Drug accused held in prison

A YOUNG Englishman will spend Christmas in Cork Prison after he was refused bail yesterday in a case where he is accused of carrying €70,000 worth of drugs through Cork Airport.

Detective Garda Kieran Sheehan said it was the view of the prosecution that if Jack Healy, 21, of Beaumont Place, Brayton, Selby, North Yorkshire, was released on bail he would not stand trial.

Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle said the gardaí had seized Healy’s passport. Det Garda Sheehan said: “I believe he will make efforts to get out of the jurisdiction whether he has a passport or not.”

Judge David Riordan said: “I am of the view that bail should be denied. Bail is refused. Remand in custody to January 5.”

Healy is charged with two counts — having cannabis resin and possessing the drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others at Cork Airport on December 21.

Det Garda Sheehan said it was alleged that the defendant arrived in Cork Airport on a flight from Malaga and was stopped in Cork by customs officers, who searched his luggage. Customs officers then alerted gardaí.

It is alleged that he had 10 kilos of cannabis resin with a street value of €70,000. The detective said that otherwise the defendant had been travelling light with little by way of clothes or belongings.

Det Garda Sheehan said Healy’s intention was to go home to Yorkshire for Christmas and then return to Spain where he has lived for the past seven months.