Limerick brothers charged with possession of heroin are refused bail

Two brothers charged in connection with the seizure of €50,000 worth of heroin in Limerick have been refused bail after a court was told of Garda fears they might leave the jurisdiction.

Outlining the State’s objection to bail, Detective Garda David McGrath said one of the accused men, Brian Collopy, of Kilonan, Ballysimon, Co Limerick, has left the country 11 times in the past year, adding that gardaí believe he is a “genuine flight risk”.

The 43-year-old, who is in receipt of a disability payment, made nine trips to Alicante, Spain, and visited the UK twice. His brother, 40-year-old Kieran Collopy, of St Ita’s St, St Mary’s Park, was in Spain four times in the past year and made one trip to Prague.

Both men appeared before a special sitting of Kilmallock District Court on Saturday evening, where they were charged with possession of heroin, contrary to Section Three of the Misuse of Drugs Act, at St Ita’s St, St Mary’s Park, Limerick on December 15.

They are also charged with possession of heroin with intent for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 of the same legislation, on the same date. The drugs were found during a planned operation in St Mary’s Park.

Solicitor John Herbert was assigned to represent both men.

Outlining the State’s objection to Brian Collopy’s bail application, Det Gda McGrath said the father of four has left Ireland on 11 occasions in 2015.

He made nine trips to Alicante in Spain, where his average length of stay was one week.

The court heard both brothers stayed in Benidorm during their trips to Spain.

Solictor John Herbert, who applied for free legal aid on behalf of Brian Collopy, said his client is in receipt of a disability payment and told the court the disability relates to a heart condition.

Mr Herbert described Brian Collopy as a “man of rationale” who had always returned home after his trips abroad.

Outlining the objection to Kieran Collopy’s bail application, Detective Garda Noel Nash said the 40-year-old has been abroad five times in the past year and gardaí also fear is a “serious fight risk”.

Addressing the court briefly, Kieran Collopy said the longest time he has been away was for a week.

Mr Herbert said both of his clients were happy to surrender their passports which, he said, would remove any fear of flight risk.

Mr Herbert reminded the court how difficult it is to enter any country without a passport.

Judge Marian O’Leary refused both applications because of the seriousness of the charges.

Both men were remanded in custody until tomorrow, when they are due to appear before Limerick District Court via video link.