Cork man accused of having €500k worth of drugs remanded in custody

It was alleged the defendant went to Spain following the seizure of drugs, saying he did not need to be around The Glen where he was 'too hot'

Gardaí objected to bail for the accused saying he had a significant drugs debt and would continue to be involved in a criminal enterprise to pay off the debt.

The investigation of a €500,000 drugs seizure which allegedly saw the ramming of a Garda car when an arrest was about to be made resulted in a man being remanded in custody for four weeks on Thursday.

24-year-old Daniel Kelleher, of 44 Mourne Avenue, The Glen, Cork, appeared by video link from prison at Cork District Court, where defence solicitor Eddie Burke said there was consent to a four-week remand in custody.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the time was needed in order to get directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Daniel Kelleher in custody until May 14.

It was alleged last week the defendant went to Spain following the seizure of drugs, returned and booked into the Radison Blu hotel and was planning to return to Spain when he was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 22 at Arderrin Way, The Glen.

Evidence was given alleging Daniel Kelleher texted a friend saying he did not need to be around The Glen where he was “too hot” and all he needed was two phones.

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty, who arrested, Daniel Kelleher, objected to bail and said of the accused: “He has a significant drugs debt because of this alleged incident. Gardaí strongly believe that he will continue to be involved in the criminal enterprise to pay off this debt if granted bail. 

"Evidence gleaned from his mobile phone indicates that he is still involved in the drugs trade and there are conversations observed where he is selling large amounts of cannabis and cocaine. 

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said on behalf of the defendant his position was that “he had nothing to do with any of this”, that he was not caught with drugs in his possession and he would not return to Spain if given bail.