Bail refused for men in €2m drugs case at Navan Court

A MAN who appeared at Navan Court in relation to possession of heroin (diamorphine) for sale or supply in Trim, valued at some €2 million, was refused free legal aid by Judge Tom Fitzpatrick.

The application for free legal aid was made in the case of Paudie Green (39), Talbot Court, Trim, who was before the court on a charge of possession of the drug for sale or supply at Eamonn Duggan Industrial estate, Whitehall, Trim, on 15th March.

Prior to being apprehended, he was unemployed and was not in a position to pay for legal representation, Judge Fitzpatrick was told by a solicitor for the defendant.

However Garda Kennedy, Drugs Unit, Dublin, said Gardai were objecting to free legal aid. He submitted that the man was working as a truck driver when arrested. He agreed that he was doing a run. The Garda said the man had a bank account with €60,000 in it. Solicitor for the man said his client was married with two children, aged 12 and nine. He was an unemployed truck driver. It was a serious charge.

Asked was he unemployed, the defendant said that the way the truck business worked "you might get a call to do a run".

Questioned by Judge Fitzpatrick, he said he had just one bank account which paid for the house and other expenses.

There could be €10,000 in it. His wife had a Credit Union account.

His solicitor said there were no proceeds of criminal activity in his client's account. It contained the proceeds of his and his wife's SSIAs.

The purpose of the account was that they were building an extension to the house. The groundwork was being done first.

The monies were committed to the family home and were not available for legal fees, the court heard.

Judge Fitzpatrick said it seemed the man was in a position to pay for his own legal representation. He refused free legal aid.

Regarding a bail application, Garda Kennedy said he was not objecting to this but wanted a substantial surety and conditions including surrender of his passport.

Seosamh Green, brother of the defendant, Longwood, gave evidence that he owned a residence there worth some €750,000. There was no mortgatge on it.

Asked by the judge did he accept that he would be liable to forfeit €250,000 if his brother did not attend court or offended while on bail, witness said he did.

Judge Fitzpatrick said he must be in a position to produce €250,000 cash.

Judge Fitzpatrick remanded him in custody to Clover Hill Court on 1st April at 10.30am.

Also remanded to Clover Hill Court on the same date was Eamonn McNamee (27), Larkfield Square, Lucan, on the same charge. Bail had been fixed previously but the man was still in custody.