Dad accused of entering business park to collect €900,000 worth of cannabis appears in court

Andrew Byrne (52) was arrested by detectives who had information about the location of the drugs and were waiting for an “unknown person” to collect them.

He was refused bail when he appeared in court today charged with the seizure in west Dublin. Judge Mark O’Connell remanded him into custody to receive instructions from the DPP.

Byrne, of The Butter Yard, Fleurville Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin, is charged with possession of cannabis and having it with intent to sell or supply it.

The offenses are alleged to have occurred in North West Business Park, Ballycoolin, on May 7.

Detective Garda Stephen Gillespie told Blanchardstown District Court that he arrested the accused for the purpose of charging at Clondalkin Garda Station yesterday at 7.45pm Byrne was charged at 8.35pm and did not respond after a warning He was given copies of the indictment.

In opposing bail, Detective Gda Gillespie cited the nature and seriousness of the allegations.

He said gardai attached to the Drugs and Organized Crime Bureau received confidential information about the movement of drugs in north Dublin and a joint operation was carried out with the Treasury.

The court heard gardai became aware that a pallet containing 45kg of cannabis had been delivered to a logistics company. He was due to be picked up by an unknown person on May 7 and was kept under observation by Gardai.

The accused entered the yard in a white Ford Transit van and parked, Detective Gda Gillespie said.

It was a GoVan that he had rented and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

After his arrest, the accused had said in an interview that he would be paid €1,500 to collect the pallet, said Detective Gda Gillespie. The alleged value of the drugs was 900,000 euros, she added.

Applying for bail, defense lawyer Andrew Vallely said the charges were serious and the accused could be in custody for months before the DPP’s instructions were available.

Detective Gda Gillespie said a file would be prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service and gardai would ask for more serious drug charges to be laid.

Byrne had residence and work history in the jurisdiction and previously worked as a carpenter, Vallely said. He was willing to comply with bail conditions, including registering at a garda station, being contacted by telephone and abiding by curfew.

His passport had expired and he would agree not to apply for another one, Vallely said.

Detective Garda Gillespie said there were no conditions that would alleviate his concerns about the granting of bail.

Judge O’Connell refused bail and ordered the defendant to appear at Cloverhill District Court on May 16.

He recommended medical attention for the defendants in custody after learning that Byrne suffered from sleep apnea.

Mr Byrne has not yet pleaded guilty to charges under sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.