District court judge refuses jurisdiction for €500k drugs case in Cork

The court heard 273 kilograms of cannabis with a street value of €546,000 was found by gardaí inside a car driven by the defendant. File picture

Boxes of vacuum-packed cannabis with a street value totalling over €500,000 were seized in an investigation in Cork and now the district judge has refused jurisdiction, saying: “Clearly it is not a matter for the district court.” 

The 24-year-old man was remanded in custody by Judge David Waters until July 23. Further DPP directions will have to be sought in light of the judge’s refusal of jurisdiction in the case.

24-year-old Daniel Kelleher of 44 Mourne Avenue, The Glen, Cork, appeared by video link from prison at Cork District Court. He faces charges including possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 22 at Arderrin Way, The Glen, Cork.

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty who arrested, Daniel Kelleher, objected to bail and said of the accused: “On January 22, gardaí observed (another man) enter a house at Imaal Court, The Glen, Cork, take a bag and place it into the rear of a Volkswagen Golf. 

"Gardaí followed this car to North Monastery Road before stopping it for a search. €62,000 worth of cannabis was found. Surveillance was then continued at the house at Imaal Court.

“Gardaí observed Daniel Kelleher arrive at Imaal Court, driving a Volkswagen Passat. He entered the Imaal Court address and was observed returning out shortly after with another person, who was carrying a cardboard box. Daniel Kelleher then sits into the driver's seat of this vehicle and transports the box to Arderrin Way, The Glen, Cork.

“Gardaí observed cardboard boxes being removed and placed into a Grey Toyota Auris that is parked in the driveway of the address. Daniel Kelleher then leaves this address and travels back towards Immal Court. 

“A short time later, gardaí again observe Daniel Kelleher travelling towards Arderrin Way. In the passenger seat was another cardboard box, containing what appeared to be vacuum-packed packaging. He is then seen leaving Arderrin Way. A search warrant is obtained for that property.

“During the search of the Toyota Auris parked in the front of the property was a rubbish bag containing 273 kilograms of cannabis with a street value of €546,000 inside this vehicle. A certificate of analysis from Forensic Science Ireland has since been received documenting the weight of the cannabis seized.”