Two charged over €210k heroin seizure in Blackrock, Cork

A Cork mother and a Tipperary man faced Cork District Court over 1.5kg of suspected heroin. One was remanded in custody, the other released on strict bail conditions.

Cork mother remanded in custody after €210k heroin find in Blackrock

A 42-year-old mother of three from Cork and a 60-year-old man from Tipperary appeared before Cork District Court on charges connected to the seizure of 1.5kg of suspected heroin with an estimated street value of €210,000, TheJournal.ie reports.

Sandra Byrne, of Upper Convent Road in Blackrock, Cork city, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin for sale or supply on 1 September at that address. She faces an additional charge of money laundering €12,980 in cash, recovered on the same date.

Det Garda Linda O'Keeffe gave evidence of Byrne's arrest, charge and caution, telling the court that Byrne made no reply when the charges were put to her.

O'Keeffe said gardaí objected to bail, explaining that a search of Byrne's home uncovered the seized cash concealed in a wash basket. She told the court that Byrne "now has a substantial drugs debt to repay" as a result of the seizure, adding: "I have no doubt Sandra Byrne will continue with drug activities [if granted bail] in order to pay the debt."

Defence solicitor Diane Hallahan noted that the seized drugs had yet to undergo forensic examination. O'Keeffe responded that she was satisfied, having examined the package, that the substance was diamorphine. Hallahan also indicated her client was willing to comply with any bail conditions the court might set.

Judge David Waters declined to grant bail and remanded Byrne in custody until 10 September for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Byrne, who is in receipt of a disability allowance, will appear on that date by video link. Legal aid was granted.

Her co-accused, Philip Hicks, of Cois na hAbháinn, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary, faced the same charges of possession of heroin and possession of heroin for sale or supply on 1 September at Upper Convent Road, Blackrock.

Garda James Byrd gave evidence of Hicks's arrest, charge and caution and confirmed that Hicks made no reply when the charges were read to him. Gardaí did not object to bail in his case.

Hicks was released subject to a number of conditions: he must stay out of Co Cork except for court appearances and legal appointments, sign on three times weekly at Clonmel Garda Station, and remain at his home address in Mullinahone. He is required to surrender his passport to gardaí within 24 hours and to remain contactable by mobile phone around the clock on a number provided to them.

Hicks was remanded on bail to appear before Cork District Court on 1 October for DPP directions.

Source: TheJournal.ie