A carpenter who was arrested in connection with the discovery of cocaine valued at \u20ac8.1 million applied for bail at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
READ NEXT: LIVE: Tipperary garda\u00ed issue alert after theft of item ‘completely useless’ to culprits<\/a><\/p>\n Thomas Ryan, (39) of Wood View, Boulick, Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co Tipperary, is accused of possessing cocaine for sale or supply at Killnaseer, Rathdowney, Laois on October 28 last.\u00a0<\/p>\n Detective Garda Stephen Gillespie from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau objected to the bail application. He told the court the defendant was believed to be involved in the storage and distribution of drugs.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n He explained that during an investigation, the defendant was \u201cidentified as a person believed to be involved in the storage and distribution of drugs\u201d, and a search was carried out where\u00a0two vehicles were seized, which then underwent digital forensic analysis. That analysis led to the identification of \u201ca location of interest\u201d where garda\u00ed conducted a further search, he said. The analysis also uncovered what he called a \u201csophisticated motorised concealment\u201d within one of the vehicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n READ NEXT: 57-year-old Tipperary man jailed for seven years<\/a><\/p>\n Det Gillespie said when garda\u00ed searched the area of interest at a wooded area in Kilnaseer they discovered blocks of cocaine bearing various logos and stamps. He said the drugs had been packed into different bags.\u00a0<\/p>\n The defendant was arrested and taken to Abbeyleix Garda Station where he was interviewed. Det Gillespie said \u201che was interviewed on six occasions and he made admissions.\u201d<\/p>\n Det Gillespie said there is \u201csignificant\u201d evidence against the defendant. He said images were found on the defendant\u2019s phone of logos and a blue notebook, which contained a \u201ctick list\u201d next to logos similar to those found on the drugs. He said garda\u00ed had seized 116 kilograms of cocaine in total. He said samples have been analysed and confirmed it was cocaine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t believe he is a flight risk,\u201d Det Gillespie told the court.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, he said it was a serious offence which could result in a life sentence and there was a prospect of further charges.\u00a0<\/p>\n He described the loss of \u20ac8 million in drugs as a \u201cserious blow\u201d to those involved and said he was concerned that the defendant would be forced to repay some of the loss by committing crimes.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe will be forced to store drugs and distribute drugs by this organised criminal group to recoup the loss,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby asked Det Gillespie if there were any bail conditions which would ease his concerns. Det Gillespie said there weren\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n READ NEXT:\u00a0<\/a>LIVE: Suspended sentence for Tipperary man who acted as ‘money mule’ in ‘romance fraud’<\/a><\/p>\n Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy asked Det Gillespie about the seizure \u201cof 116kgs or so of white powder\u201d and the testing that was done. He noted one of the kilos was forensically tested and asked what value that had. He was told one kilogram had tested positive for cocaine and was valued at \u20ac70,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr McCarthy asked Det Gillespie if he believed his client appeared to be a low level operative.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was in charge of \u20ac8 million so he is not an untrusted member,\u201d Det Gillespie replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr McCarthy said his client was a carpenter with a work history and ties to the state. He said the man\u2019s parents were in court. He said the man has an address where he can stay and he was entitled to bail.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr McCarthy said that while it was the opinion of the detective that the man might be forced to commit offences, there was no supporting evidence. He said the court would be refusing bail on \u201cconjecture\u201d and \u201cspeculation\u201d as \u201cit is quite obviously hearsay evidence if it is even that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt is simply opinion evidence of the garda that there is a possibility of the owners of this product might endeavour to enlist Mr Ryan,\u201d said Mr McCarthy.\u00a0<\/p>\n He said whether it\u2019s \u20ac5 of drugs or \u20ac50 million \u201cwe have to stick to brass tax\u201d and he pointed out the fact that garda\u00ed had the man\u2019s passport. He said the man wasn\u2019t presently working but had about \u20ac1,900 in savings and was willing to offer it up for bail.\u00a0<\/p>\n The defendant\u2019s father, Thomas Ryan, gave evidence of being willing to provide a substantial independent surety.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI would be depending on some savings. I don\u2019t have control over all my farm anymore,\u201d said the farmer who is aged 74.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr McCarthy appealed to the court to grant his client bail. He said if the defendant doesn\u2019t get bail he could be waiting 18 to 20 months in custody before trial.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a gent who has proven for the last 20 years that he can go out and he can work,\u201d said Mr McCarthy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sgt Kirby asked the court to take into account the seriousness of the charge and the potential sentence on conviction.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one of the most serious cases that has ever come before this court in my opinion,\u201d said Sgt Kirby.\u00a0<\/p>\n Judge Susan Fay rose to consider her decision. When she returned she acknowledged that the defendant was before the court an innocent man but she said, \u201cthe court finds that the prosecution has established its objection to bail.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n