Trial of man accused of directing organised crime in Cork proceeds in absence of jury

Case opened on Thursday and will continue next week

The trial opened at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Dermot Sheehan on April 30. Picture: Dan Linehan

The trial of a man accused of directing organised crime in Cork proceeded largely in the absence of the jury on Friday, and the case will continue on May 5.

The trial opened at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Dermot Sheehan on April 30, and the jury of nine men and three women were told of Garda concerns about heroin dealing in Cork City, particularly around the Lee Fields and Fitzgerald’s Park.

Pranas Motriuk, aged 47, of 13 Manor Grove, Thornbury View, Rochestown, Cork, is charged with directing and controlling the activities of a criminal organisation between November 10, 2023, and March 26, 2025.

He is also charged with having drugs for sale or supply and money-laundering.

Jonas Pavilionis, aged 46, and Aleksandras Kuznecovas, aged 38, both of no fixed address, are both charged with committing an offence of having drugs for sale or supply for the benefit of or under the direction of an organised crime group. 

Both men are also charged with different drug supply charges at locations around Cork City.

Mr Pavilionis is additionally charged with having a machete at Douglas Shopping Centre car park, and two bill-hooks at Audley Place, St Patrick’s Hill, Cork.

Evidence on Friday included maps of the locations in Cork City referred to in the case, presented by Detective Garda Alan Crowley.