Dublin man 'caught red-handed' over €4.2m cannabis seizure refused bail
Gordon Deegan
A Garda has alleged in court that a 40-year-old Dublin man was caught ‘red-handed’ by Gardaí in connection with a seizure of an estimated €4.2 million of suspected cannabis on the outskirts of Shannon, Co Clare, last month.
At Ennis District Court, Garda Eoin McCabe told Judge Adrian Harris that it will be alleged that James Lawlor of Killininny House, Firhouse, Dublin 24, was playing “a key role” in the transportation of the suspected drugs.
Garda McCabe said that Mr Lawlor was arrested on suspicion of engaging in the sale and supply of cannabis after Gardai stopped the van he was driving on the N19 at Smithstown on the outskirts of Shannon on Tuesday, May 26th last.
He said that during the course of the Garda search of the van, gardaí recovered a large pallet which contained vacuum-packed sealed packs of suspected cannabis.
Garda McCabe said that the seizure involved 210kgs of suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of €4.2 million.
He said that the drugs have been sent away to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.
Objecting to bail for Lawlor, Garda McCabe alleged that Mr Lawlor “was essentially caught red-handed and was the sole occupant of the van when stopped and searched”.
Garda McCabe said that evidence in the case will be that Mr Lawlor picked up the pallet from a DHL depot at Smithstown, Shannon.
Garda McCabe said that there is the possibility of further charges being brought against Lawlor, which could result in a substantial sentence if Mr Lawlor is convicted.
Defence Barrister for Lawlor, Barry O’Farrell, asked Garda McCabe if he was aware that Lawlor was carrying a card at the time of arrest which confirmed that he had an insertable loop recorder to monitor his heart palpitations.
Garda McCabe said that he was not aware of this.
Seeking bail, O’Farrell said that his client does not have any drug-related previous convictions and “would be a good candidate for bail”.
O’Farrell said that much of the garda's objection to bail was speculation. Lawlor was brought by prison service staff from Mountjoy prison to attend the bail hearing.
The seizure of the 210 kgs of suspected cannabis was made as a result of a joint operation conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the Clare Divisional Drug Unit, and Revenue’s Customs Service.
Lawlor is charged with having cannabis at the N19, Smithstown, Shannon, on May 26th for the purpose of selling or otherwise contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
Lawlor is also charged with having in his possession cannabis at the same location on the same date, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
In court last month, Garda McCabe said that Lawlor made no reply when cautioned on the Section 3 Misuse of Drugs charge and replied ‘guilty as charged’ in reply to the Section 15 Misuse of Drugs charge.
Judge Harris refused bail and further remanded Lawlor in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on June 24th via video-link.
