Cork man charged after €400,000 worth of cannabis found during Garda search of house

Gardaí arrested accused and charged him with possession of cannabis and having the illegal drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others

Rory McLaughlin at Cork District Court on Anglesea Street, Cork, on Thursday.

The seizure of €400,000 worth of cannabis by gardaí at a house in Kerrypike in Cork resulted in a 23-year-old man being arrested and brought before Cork District Court on Thursday afternoon.

Gardaí allegedly seized 20 kilos of cannabis at the house at lunchtime on Wednesday.

Detective Garda Derry O’Brien testified he arrested Rory McLaughlin and charged him with possession of cannabis and having the illegal drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others.

The charges both relate to his home at Pike Lodge, Kerry Pike, Co Cork, on September 24.

When arrested, charged and cautioned at Gurranabraher Garda Station, he made no reply to the two charges.

The detective said there was no objection to the accused being remanded on bail on conditions.

Those conditions require him to sign on three times a week at Gurranabraher Garda Station and not to apply for any travel documents. It was confirmed he had surrendered his passport already.

Judge Mary Dorgan added: “He should not leave jurisdiction without further order of the court.” 

The defendant’s phone was seized as part of the investigation. Another bail condition requires him to get a new phone within 24 hours at which he will be contactable by An Garda Síochána at all times.

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, the case was adjourned by Judge Dorgan until January 15 2026.

The reason for the lengthy adjournment was because suspected drugs have to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, and there is a backlog of cases, and the DPP will then have to give directions.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, was appointed to represent the 23-year-old on free legal aid.