Two men appear in  court over €470k cannabis seizure in Cork

Court told two accused were 'caught red-handed' loading boxes of drugs into cars

The two men appeared before a special sitting of Fermoy District Court, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Two men have appeared before a special sitting of Fermoy District Court in Co Cork charged in connection with the seizure of 23.6 kg of herbal cannabis with a street value of €472,000 at a house in the Newmarket area of the county earlier this week.

Thomas Doody, age 32, and Gavin Downey, age 30, were charged with possession and possession for sale of supply of cannabis at Glennamucklagh West in Newmarket, Co Cork, on Wednesday.

The offences are contrary to Section 3 and Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The evidence from gardaí was that the two accused were “caught red-handed” loading boxes containing cannabis when gardaí arrived at the scene at 2.30pm on January 28.

Det Garda Brendan McGarry gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Thomas Doody, of Glennamucklagh West.

He said that Mr Doody made no reply when the charges were put to him after caution at 12.05pm on Friday.

An objection to bail was made. Det Garda McGarry cited the seriousness of the charges, the amount of drugs seized, and the possibility of further charges.

He said that the defendant was caught “red handed” loading a consignment of cannabis in to a vehicle when gardaí arrived at the scene with a search warrant.

More charges likely to follow

Det Garda McGarry said that further more serious charges were likely follow.

He told the court that Mr Doody was “actively involved in the supply of drugs at the divisional and regional level”. 

He also stated that there was a possibility that the accused man would carry out further offences if he was granted bail in the case.

He said during the course of the interview gardaí put telephonic evidence to the accused man which related to him carrying out drugs related intimidation.

Garda McGarry said that Mr Doody was a drugs user. He refuted suggestions made by defence solicitor, Denis Linehan, that Mr Doody possibly did not know what was in the unmarked boxes which had been delivered to the property.

Garda McGarry said that the accused man was “actively involved in the sale and supply of drugs at a high level".

“When we arrived at the scene he was loading the boxes (in to the car). 

He panicked and threw it (a box) in the air. It is clear he knew what was in the box.

Mr Linehan asked that bail be granted to his client who resides in a caravan at the rear of the property where he was arrested. He spoke of the “tangible connections” of the father of one to the local area.

However, Det Garda McGarry told the court that Mr Doody had lived in Germany for a year from 2022 to 2023. 

He said that he observed the accused man loading “a large consignment of cannabis in to the boot of a car”. 

Bail denied

He added that the “car was ready for road”. The court was told that there were no bail conditions that would alleviate garda concerns. 

Judge Miriam Walsh declined to grant bail in the case arising out of the seriousness of the charges.

She remanded Mr Doody in custody to appear before Mallow District Court in Co Cork by video link on February 3.

Meanwhile, Garda Anthony Finn gave evidence of the arrest charge and caution of Gavin Downey, of Glennamucklagh West. He said that the Mr Downey made no reply when the charges were put to him following caution at noon on Friday.

Garda Finn said that was an objection to bail arising out of the gravity of the charges and the nature of the evidence facing the accused.

“He (Downey) was caught red-handed. A substantial quantity of cannabis had been delivered. He was loading cannabis in to the boot.” 

Garda Finn said that the defendant resided at the address where he was caught with the drugs. 

Garda Finn said that there was “highly incriminating” telephonic evidence of the involvement of Mr Downey in the sale and supply of drugs.

Mr Downey was represented in court by solicitor Charles O’Connor. 

Mr O'Connor said that his client was willing to reside outside of the area if he was granted bail in the case.

He stated that the father of five was a native of Mallow and could stay there while on bail. 

Judge Walsh refused bail and remanded Mr Downey in custody to appear before Mallow District Court by video link on February 3.

A 26-year -ld woman who was arrested in connection with the investigation was released without charge. A file will be prepared for the DPP.

The arrests were carried out as part of an intelligence-led operation involving the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), Cork North West Divisional Drugs Unit and Revenue Customs Service.

The seized drugs have sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

This seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by the Garda Commissioner in 2021.