Two Inishowen men have appeared in court after cannabis valued at an estimated €40,000 was seized in Donegal.
Leighton O’Connor and Tyler McHenry appeared at a special sitting of Donegal District Court today.
O’Connor, a 23-year-old of Ard Clochar, Carndonagh and the 25-year-old McHenry, of Foyle View Crescent, Moville, were brought before Judge Ciaran Liddy at Donegal Town courthouse.
The men were each charged that on November 28, 2024 at their respective home addressed that they had in their possession a controlled drug, namely cannabis, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 2017-2019, made under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.
The pair were also charged with the unlawful possession of a controlled drug, namely cannabis, at their home address, a charge contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and contrary to section 27 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as substituted by section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984.
Garda Matthew Burke gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of McHenry, who was lifted by officers at 2.36pm on Thursday and was charged at 8.35pm. McHenry made no reply when charged, the court heard.
McHenry was represented by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher.
Garda Christopher Sweeney gave evidence of arresting O’Connor at 12.34pm at his home address under section 4.3 of the Criminal Law Act. After a period of detention, O’Connor was charged at 8.01pm and made no reply.
O’Connor was represented in court by solicitor Mr Francis Gillespie, acting as agent for the accused man’s solicitor, Mr Ciaran Mac Lochlainn.
Detective Sergeant Frank McDaid told the court that there was no objection to bail for either defendant.
Each man was granted bail in their own bond of €100 on condition that they reside at their home address, provide Gardai with a mobile phone number and be contactable 24/7 and that they commit no offence and be of good behaviour.
Legal aid was granted and the duo were remanded on bail to appear before a future sitting of Buncrana District Court.
O’Connor and McHenry were arrested after officers raided their homes, armed with search warrants.
Detectives from the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit were aided by the Customs Dog Unit and uniformed gardai from the Buncrana District in the operation.
Gardai estimate the drugs to be worth an estimated €40,000. The drugs will undergo analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.
The searches were carried out as part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy commenced in July, 2021.
The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels, international, national, and local, involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production and local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are appealing for anyone who has information in relation to the sale and supply of controlled substances in Co. Donegal or the border region, to contact the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit on 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”