Offaly couple face Circuit Court over €500,000 drugs haul at golf course home

A man and woman from Esker Hills Golf Course in Offaly face Circuit Court charges over drugs valued at over €500,000, including cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and diamorphine.

Tullamore pair sent forward on €500,000 drug supply charges

Google News IE — Crime (en) reports that Gardaí have estimated a suspected drugs haul seized at a residence on an Offaly golf course was worth in excess of €500,000, as Tullamore District Court heard evidence on the case.

Darren Somers (45) and Monika Swiatkowska (46), both of 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, have been charged with possession of cocaine valued at €13,000 or more for sale or supply to others at that address on April 14 last. Both are also accused of having cannabis and MDMA for sale or supply at the same location on the same date.

Further charges allege that both individuals possessed diamorphine, valued at €13,000 or more, for sale or supply at a container in a storage facility in Birr on April 15. Additional charges relate to cannabis possession at the same Birr container.

Garda Stacey O'Brien told the court she had served the book of evidence on both accused and confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to the case being sent forward to Tullamore Circuit Court, sitting on November 17 next.

Garda O'Brien applied for Somers to be remanded in custody until that date. When Judge Andrew Cody sought an indicative value of the drugs, O'Brien confirmed the total was in excess of €500,000.

Defence counsel Anne Doyle BL, appearing for Somers, indicated no bail application would be made but sought legal aid including a second counsel. Judge Cody granted legal aid with two counsel, assigning Michael Hennessy as solicitor.

Regarding Swiatkowska, the court heard that bail had previously been set by the High Court, but her counsel David Nugent BL said she had been unable to take it up. Nugent also applied for legal aid with two counsel, which Judge Cody granted, assigning John Shanley as solicitor.

Somers faces a separate charge of possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street in Tullamore on March 16 last. Garda O'Brien told the court that matter could be dealt with summarily, and Somers was remanded to appear at Tullamore District Court on December 7 next on that charge.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)