Gardaí seize massive drugs haul in Tullamore and Birr
The haul came to a total of €626,000
THE Gardaí seized a massive drugs haul at Tullamore and Birr locations, a haul which came to a total of €626,000, representing what Judge Andrew Cody called “the upper end of drugs offences.”
Darren Somers, 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, Tullamore was charged with a number of offences in connection with the drugs haul during the June 10 sitting of Tullamore District Court.
It's alleged that Mr Somers, who was already in custody during his June 10 appearance in Tullamore Court, was in possession of the drugs for his own use and for the purpose of sale or supply.
Mr Somers made an application for bail to Judge Andrew Cody but this was denied him on the basis of evidence given by Garda Thomas Scanlon and after listening to evidence given by Mr Somers himself.
Garda Scanlon told the court that he believed the defendant would be a flight risk if allowed out on bail. “I believe it’s likely that the defendant will abscond if he’s allowed out on bail,” remarked the Guard.
The defendant, whose date of birth is March 16, 1981, was charged with being in possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, Tullamore on April 14, 2026.
He was also charged with being in possession of drugs for his own use at Kilbride St, Tullamore on March 16, 2026.
He was also charged with being in possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply on April 15, 2026 at a storage container in Birr. He was charged with being in possession of drugs for sale or supply at the same container on April 14, 2026.
Garda Scanlon told the court that 18 Esker Hills Golf Course Tullamore was being rented by Mr Somers and his female partner.
“€626,000 was the total value of the drugs found,” the Guard said.
Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that, “It would appear that he is a drug addict and his habit costs between €500 and €1,000 a day to maintain.”
“They are allegations at this point,” commented Garda Scanlon, “but I have 100% evidence that they are drugs."
Giving evidence Somers told the Court that 18 Esker Hills was a short term lease for his partner and himself. He said he owns a property in Edenderry which he bought in 2007 and this property has been rented to a family for the last 18 months. “It is my intention to live in my Edenderry property,” he remarked. “I had been living in 18 Esker Hills because it was closer to where my children were living in Limerick, closer than Edenderry.”
Under cross examination Somers said he isn’t estranged from his family and he has two children, who are both 14 years of age and are twins. He said he and his previous partner have joint custody of their children. He said he has been three months clean of drugs and has been regularly giving clear urine samples in Wheatfield Prison in Dublin. He told the court that he had already surrendered his passport and was willing to sign on every day, and could make a cash bail lodgement of €20,000. The defendant had no previous convictions.
Judge Andrew Cody said this was an “extremely serious matter. It is at the very top end of drugs offences. The Section 15 sale or supply charge carries a maximum 10 year prison sentence.” He said he didn’t find Mr Somers assurances, about not being a flight risk, believable. He remand ed Mr Somers in custody to June 24.