Two Cork men charged over €500,000 cannabis seizure in Togher granted bail

Lee Crinnion (21) and Aaron Austin (24) appeared at Cork District Court after 25kg of cannabis was seized on Togher Road on 5 October.

Two Cork men face drugs charges after 25kg cannabis find valued at €500,000

Two men have been remanded on bail following charges connected to a €500,000 cannabis seizure in Cork city, the Irish Times reports.

Lee Crinnion (21), of Blackwater Grove, Togher, and Aaron Austin (24), of Araglen Court, Togher, appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday afternoon. Both men face charges arising from the seizure of 25kg of cannabis on Togher Road on 5 October.

Each is charged with possession of cannabis contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997, and with possession for sale or supply contrary to Section 15 of the same Act.

Det Garda Darren Twomey of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Crinnion, telling the court that Crinnion made no reply to the charges after caution. Det Garda Ruairi McGovern, also of the Divisional Drugs Squad, gave corresponding evidence in relation to Austin, who likewise made no reply after caution.

Sergeant David Fleming told the court that gardaí were not objecting to bail subject to conditions. Defence solicitors Joe Cuddigan and Eddie Burke confirmed their clients consented to the terms.

Under those terms, Crinnion must reside at his Blackwater Grove address and Austin at Araglen Court. Both men are subject to an 11pm to 7am curfew and must sign on three times a week at Togher Garda station. They are also required to surrender their passports, refrain from applying for any travel documents, provide gardaí with a mobile phone number on which they can be contacted around the clock, and have no contact with each other, directly or indirectly.

Judge David Waters remanded both men on bail on their own bonds of €200 each. They are due to appear again at Cork District Court on 3 November, when directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions are expected.

Source: Irish Times