Man charged in connection with Dublin cannabis seizure

An unemployed man was charged today over a seizure of cannabis with an estimated street value of €250,000 at a warehouse in Dublin last Friday night.

Two men were detained under the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act after a search had been carried out in the Beaumont area of north Dublin by the Organised Crime Unit supported by the Garda National Drugs Unit.

A 22-year-old was later released without charge. The second man was brought to court this morning.

Stephen Byrne (aged 28), of Shangan Road, Ballymun, in Dublin was charged with possessing cannabis herb with intent to supply, at Celtic Park Avenue, in Beaumont, on December 3.

Detective Garda Nicola Lowry, of Raheny station, told Judge Denis McLoughlin at the Dublin District Court that the defendant made “no reply” when he was charged. She objected to bail citing the “severity” of the alleged offence and said there was a possibility of further charges being brought.

She also told the court that the accused indicated that he was no longer residing at his family's house and had been homeless at the time. Directions from the DPP have also to be obtained, the court was told.

Mr Byrne's solicitor said it was accepted that her client had not been living at his family's home lately but is welcome to return.

It was submitted by the defence that if accused broke bail conditions he would be held in custody for a long period of time.

The court heard that Mr Byrne's father, who was in court, was in poor health, and his sister, also present for the case, was on social welfare.

Judge McLoughlin asked the value of the drugs and was told by Det-Gda Lowry that there was not yet a “definitive value, but in excess of €100,000.”

Judge McLoughlin set bail in the defendant's own bond of €100 and stipulated given the seriousness of the charge that there should be a €5,000 independent surety lodged.

He remanded Mr Byrne in custody with consent to bail, which was not taken up immediately, to appear at Cloverhill District Court on December 13 next.

The defendant, if bail is taken up, will have to sign on daily at Ballymun Garda station and to reside at his home address.