Two men in court over €5.3m drug seizure linked to 'sophisticated' Dutch gang
A Garden Centre owner and another man have appeared in court charged in connection with a seizure of €5.3 million worth of heroin and cocaine in Co Meath allegedly linked to a Dutch crime group with ties to the UK.
Joseph Sherry, 61, of Allagesh, Smithborough in Co Monaghan and garden centre owner Matthew Farrell, 63, of Lisagoan in Kingscourt in Co Cavan, appeared before Judge Eirinn McKiernan at Navan District Court on Thursday evening.
Both men were charged with unlawful possession of heroin and cocaine and unlawful possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at Leggagh, Castletown, Co Meath, on Tuesday, May 27.
Garda Ben McGarry gave evidence he arrested Sherry at 12.50pm on Thursday for the purpose of charge. He charged the accused at 12.54pm and said he made 'no reply' after caution.
Detective Garda Paul Cullen said he arrested Matthew Farrell at 12.42pm on Thursday for the purpose of charge. He said the accused made no reply after caution.
Objecting to bail, Garda McGarry said it is alleged the drugs belong to a "sophisticated crime group in the Netherlands which has links to the UK,' and alleged that Sherry's 'sole purpose of coming from the UK to Ireland was to partake in this operation'.
Outlining the alleged facts of the case, Garda McGarry said the intelligence-led joint operation was conducted by Revenue's Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Eastern Region colleagues, the Meath/Westmeath Divisional Drugs and Crime Units, which detected a container at Dublin Port from Rotterdam.
A controlled delivery was put in place and the container was delivered to a yard at Clover Buildings at Leggagh in Castletown.
It's alleged both Sherry and Farrell were present at the yard, along with an 11-year-old child, and it's alleged Farrell's name was on the manifest and he allegedly signed for the delivery.
Gardaí intervened and a search warrant was executed and both males were arrested.
A 'deep search' took place and it's alleged €2.8 million worth of heroin and €2.59 million worth of cocaine was discovered in concrete blocks on 11 pallets in the container.
Garda McGarry said it's alleged an iPhone and a 'highly sophisticated encrypted' Google phone were found in a Peugeot 5008 driven by Sherry.
Garda McGarry said Sherry lives mainly in the UK and had arrived in Ireland that morning. As part of the bail objections, Garda Sherry said due to the seriousness of the offences, he believes Sherry is a potential flight risk.
Detective Garda Cullen said Farrell is a garden centre owner and is alleged to have rented the shed on May 1 and allegedly ordered cement blocks from what appears to be a fictitious company in The Netherlands.
It's also alleged Farrell was 'caught red-handed' and allegedly admitted to Gardaí he believed a substantial amount of cash was in the shipment.
Detective Garda Cullen objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offences and because he believes Farrell is a potential flight risk.
Detective Garda Cullen said a file is being prepared for the DPP, where it is anticipated there will be further serious charges.
Refusing bail, Judge McKiernan remanded both males in custody to appear before Trim District Court next Tuesday, June 3
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
7 hours ago
- Sunday World
Ex-garda detective who harassed woman avoids jail for a second time
Eamon Moran harassed a woman by sending her unwanted texts and calls on dates between 2021 and 2023. A retired detective garda who was facing jail time after he contacted a woman despite his conviction for harassing her has had his eight-month custodial sentence suspended on appeal. The District Court Appeals Court heard that Eamon Moran (51) has suffered ill health ever since he was attacked on a 2012 deportation flight and was recently in intensive care. Moran, with an address in Perrystown, Dublin 12, harassed a woman by sending her unwanted texts and calls on dates between 2021 and 2023. He originally pleaded guilty before the District Court and was convicted of harassment under section 10.1 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, amended by the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. He was sentenced to eight months in custody, which was fully suspended for two years on the condition that Moran would make no contact with the injured party and her family, would continue his medical rehabilitation and would stay one kilometre away from the injured party's home. His jail sentence was reactivated by Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court in October 2024 after the court heard Moran had contacted the woman by email and phone after his conviction. The victim reported the breaches to gardaí, saying that his actions caused her some anxiety and stress. The court heard that Moran had sent an email and then called the victim on two different days in September 2024, which went unanswered. It was found that Moran had breached the conditions of his suspended sentence and he did not contest this in the District Court. Counsel for the appellant, Niamh Ní Aonghusa BL, told the District Court Appeals Court that Moran 'misinterpreted this non-relationship' and is "very much apologetic" to the victim. She said he has no intention whatsoever to contact the victim again. Ms Ní Aonghusa said that Moran's health has been in decline since an incident in 2012 in which he was on a flight that was deporting people in his duty as a garda when he was attacked by a man with a razor blade. She presented several letters from medical professionals which said that Moran suffered a stroke, had a hole in his heart and had a liver condition. Former garda sergeant Eamon Moran speaking to Sunday World reporter Alan Sherry News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd She said that he was recently in intensive care in St James's Hospital and that the muscles in his legs have depreciated. Judge Sinéad McMullan said that this is 'obviously a very serious matter' and that no one should have to deal with harassment. She said there was a clear court order that Moran 'clearly breached', but she also took into account that he was recently very unhealthy. Judge McMullan decided to fully suspend the sentence of eight months for a period of two years on the condition that Moran in no way attempt to contact the injured party ever again, stay one kilometre away from her house, continue to receive medical attention and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Dublin Live
8 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Cannabis worth €2 million seized following search of business in West Dublin
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gardai have seized cannabis worth €2 million following a search of a business in West Dublin today. The huge haul was discovered following a search of a premises in Ballyfermot as part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels from international to local. The searches were carried out by Gardaí from Ballyfermot Garda Station, Clondalkin Community Engagement Area, and Detective Gardaí from Serious Crime South. Gardai said the seized drugs are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland and investigations into the find are ongoing. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Major drug raid as cops swoop on Dublin business & seize cannabis herb worth €2m as two arrested in separate search
A RAID on a business premises in Dublin has resulted in the seizure of €2 million worth of cannabis herb. The search was carried out on Saturday at a business in Ballyfermot. The seized drugs will be analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. This seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris 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, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs. Read more in News A spokesperson said: "As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí have seized €2m of suspected cannabis herb during the course of a search of a business premises in the Ballyfermot, "The searches were carried out by Gardaí from Ballyfermot Garda Station, Clondalkin Community Engagement Area, and Detective Gardaí from Serious Crime South. "The "Investigations are ongoing." Most read in The Irish Sun Separately, two people have been arrested in Detectives from the The search was conducted at a property in the Gorestown Road area of Dungannon under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Friday, June 20 shortly after 5.20pm. As part of the ongoing investigation two men, aged 39 and 24 years old, were arrested on suspicion of a number of drug-related offences. Both men are currently in police custody at this time. Detective Inspector Stickland said: 'The drugs, as well as a sum of money and drugs paraphernalia, have been taken away for further forensic examinations. 'Our officers will continue to protect communities from the harm of illegal drugs. "As a result of this excellent police work, a large quantity of suspected dangerous controlled drugs are now safely off our streets. 'Drugs have no place in our community and I am making a direct appeal to anyone with information about the illicit supply, possession or misuse of drugs to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via 1 The search was carried out on Saturday at a business in Ballyfermot. Credit: Alamy
