A marketing executive with a national radio network has been released on bail after appearing in court over the seizure of €110,000 worth of cannabis at an office building in Dublin.
Seafra O’Donovan (35), an employee of Bauer Media, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and having it for sale or supply at Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2 on March 23rd.
The location of the seizure, carried out as part of a joint Garda and Revenue Customs operation, is the base of Newstalk, Today FM and affiliated radio stations.
O’Donovan sat silently throughout the brief hearing before Judge Conor Fottrell at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.
No plea was entered to the charges, which are under sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Garda Kevin Hearns told the judge that O’Donovan, of Leeson Park Court, Ranelagh, was charged shortly after 11pm on Tuesday, handed a copy of the charges, and “made no reply” when cautioned.
Hearns, a member of the divisional drugs unit at Kevin Street, said he was not objecting to bail with conditions.
Accordingly, the judge ordered O’Donovan to sign on two days a week at his local garda station, notify of address or mobile phone number changes, and not to apply for a passport.
Defence solicitor Aoife Dalton told the judge her client had provided his phone number and his passport had already been handed in.
Hearns asked for a lengthy adjournment, suggesting two to three months, if possible, as the investigation was still ongoing and a file needed to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
O’Donovan was ordered to appear in court again on May 27th next.