Tag Archives: drugs

THE former Bishop of Killaloe, Willie Walsh, has criticised Travellers who are allegedly engaging in “intimidation” to recoup money that has been given to members of their own community as part of unregulated money-lending. Bishop Emeritus Walsh, who served as Bishop of Killaloe from 1994 to 2010, has spoken out about serious problems being caused by a small number of Travellers who are engaged in feuding, the illegal distribution of drugs and money-lending. In an interview with The Clare Champion following the publication of his new memoir No Crusader, Bishop Walsh believes feuding among Travellers, often linked to the illegal sale and distribution of drugs in the county, is still a major problem. “Some Travellers have told me most of this feuding is linked with the distribution of drugs. There are other aspects as well, including a feud between two families over some slight or hurt and row in relation to a marriage. “A large percentage of the feuding is …

As part of an operation targeting the illegal sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Shannon area Gardaí have seized cannabis herb (pending analysis) with an estimated street value of €110,000. A van was stopped and searched in Clonmoney West, Bunratty, on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 3.30pm; during the course of the search cannabis herb was seized. Two men, aged 37 and 27, were arrested in connection with this incident and were currently detained at Shannon Garda Station under the provisions of Section 2 – Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. These operations use advanced analytical and intelligence methods to disrupt criminals and dismantle their networks. Drug seizures play a critical role in targeting the livelihood of criminals and reducing their ability to carry out illegal activities. Drug seizures also help protect communities from the devastating impact of drugs and the associated criminality.

As part of an intelligence led, joint operation, with An Garda Síochána, Revenue officers today (Monday) seized 1.6 kgs of Cannabis Herb with an estimated street value of approximately €32,000 at Newcastle West, Limerick. The drugs had been sent in freight from the Netherlands. Two men, aged 32 and 46, were arrested, by gardaí and detained at Henry Street Garda Station, under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. Investigations are continuing.

A MAN who took up drug-dealing in an attempt to pay off a loan he incurred prior to his wedding, appeared before Ennis District Court last week. Laimis Klemankas, 25, with an address at 3 Gleann an Óir, Shannon, admitted charges of having possession of drugs and of possession with intent to sell or supply, at his address on September 12 last. The court heard that, on the date in question, cannabis valued at €818.46 and amphetamine, valued at €282.44, were found during a search at the address, along with some drug paraphernalia including a tick list, weighing scales and some cash. Mr Klemankas’ solicitor, Stiofán Fitzpatrick, said his client is Lithuanian and has been in Ireland for seven years. He has never been in trouble, either here or in his home country. He said Mr Klemankas had smoked cannabis for a period of time but gave it up because it gave him heart palpitations. Mr Fitzpatrick also said that …

AN international investigation has begun following a massive cocaine seizure at Shannon Airport on Easter Sunday on an aircraft that had come from the US. As a result of routine profiling, officers from Revenue’s Customs Service seized 3.4kgs of cocaine, valued at around €240,000 at the airport. Their detection dog, Ollie, who has had a huge amount of success in tracking drugs over the last few years, was again involved. The drugs had been concealed behind a panel in the aircraft cabin.

Gardaí have seized five kilograms of cannabis in a planned search of forestry outside of Kilmaley. The discovery was made on Tuesday afternoon shortly after 4 o’clock. The drugs are estimated to be worth in the region of €100,000. The search was part of a continuing investigation into drugs in Clare and follows a number of other seizures in the county before Christmas. No arrests have yet been made in relation to the find.

A 24 year old West Clare man has appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court today charged in connection with the seizure of almost €700,000 worth of cannabis. Ronan Clohessy of Crossfields, Cree, is charged with the possession of €680,000 worth of cannabis herb at QuerrinKilkee in County Clare and having the drugs for sale or supply on December 19. At the hearing before Judge Aeneas McCarthy Garda Trevor Shannon outlined that at 2.32pm on Friday he arrested the defendant on suspicion of having drugs for sale or supply at an address in Querrin. He then gave evidence of charging the accused with the offences before the court. Garda Shannon said the defendant replied “sorry” to one of the charges and made no reply to the other. Free legal aid was granted to the defendant. Detective Inspector John Galvin told the court the State had no objection to bail, subject to conditions. These included that the defendant surrender his passport and undertake not to apply for any …

TWO men involved in cultivating cannabis with a potential value of €326,600 at a rented house in Tulla earlier this year have received jail sentences and could end up serving their time in a Polish prison. Rafal Ucinek (26) and Emil Sumczynski (24), both with an address at Miltown, Tulla, appeared before a sitting of Limerick Circuit Court on Friday last, where they were each sentenced on a charge of cultivating cannabis on January 13 last. Judge Carroll Moran imposed a four-year prison sentence on Ucinek and a two-year jail term on Sumczynski, which he ordered to be backdated to January 13 last, when they were first taken into custody. Judge Moran said the charge of cultivation carried a maximum sentence of 14 years, which “is a very considerable sentence”. Recalling the facts in the case, Judge Moran said, “As a result of confidential information, the gardaí obtained a warrant to search a house near Tulla. At 10.10pm on January 13, …