A Dublin painter has been granted bail after he was arrested on “serious” charges related to the seizure of over €100,000 worth of drugs in Finglas.

James Tracey (36) who has an address at Drumsink Park, Finglas, Dublin 11 appeared before Dublin District Court this afternoon.

Detective Garda Brian O’Carroll gave evidence of how €101,420 worth of drugs were discovered in “black bags” attached to a boundary wall connected to the home of the accused.

Despite strong Garda objections, Judge John Brennan admitted the accused to bail on “strict” conditions, including that he sign on daily and that an independent surety of€ 1,000 be logged in respect of him, as well as that he enter into his own bond of €2,000.

He is facing six charges, three of which are for alleged breaches of Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, and another three for alleged breaches of Sec 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Detective O’Carroll told the court that the charges are likely to be upgraded to Section 15A of the same act. 

Garda Canine Unit

Gardaí stopped a Ford Transit vehicle registered to the accused in the Finglas area at 18:05pm yesterday evening before conducting a search of the vehicle in accordance with Sec 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

It is alleged that “two small bags” of cannabis were discovered in the van with the help of sniffer dogs.

After the vehicle and the mobile phone of the accused were seized, Gardaí allege that a “hide” was found in the rear of the vehicle which they “suspect” was used to ferry drugs for sale or supply.

Detective O’Carroll also alleged that video footage of “blocks of cannabis resin” were found on Treacy’s phone showing an “identical” chopping board to the one in the kitchen of his address in Dunsink Park.

The state also says that the geo location of the images matched to the same location, with the drugs found in “black bags” hanging on a “boundary wall” and “on his fence”.

The state objected to bail citing “serious concerns” that the accused would attempt to evade the courts in circumstances where he is believed to have been involved in the “sophisticated preparation and distribution of drugs” via the “modification” of his vehicle, which he defending counsel argued he had only purchased 3 months ago for work.

Treacy’s solicitor, Ms. Frayne argued that there was no evidence of the presence of drugs in the “hide” and that her client may well have purchased the vehicle in ignorance of its alleged presence.  

He had “only bought” the vehicle and there was “nothing found” in the concealment, she argued, to which Det. O’Carroll said, “You don’t just have a hide in your van for no reason.”

Partner enters the witness stand

Mr. Treacy’s partner. Danielle Hyland entered the witness stand telling the court that Treacy is “an amazing father”. 

She said that the charges “came as a shock” to her, describing how she has been with her partner since she was 17 years old.

James Treacy enters the witness stand

Treacy assured the court that if he were to be admitted to bail “at any stage” he would “sign on three times a day”, saying “I’ve too much going for me”, in terms of his work plans and his family commitments. 

“I’d do anything just to get back to my kids,” he said, adding, “I can swear on the Bible.” 

Detective O’Carroll told Judge Brennan that there were “no [bail] conditions” that would “satisfy” him in respect of the accused.

Granting bail, Judge Brennan said that the accused was facing “very serious charges” and that there was “substantially strong evidence against him”, however in light of the absence of previous bench warrants, and the lack of prior involvement in “serious crime” he admitted Treacy to bail in order to facilitate his “important role” to his family.