Two men charged in relation to €120,000 Navan drug seizure

Two middle aged men from County Meath appeared before Trim District Court on Thursday 22nd January on charges connected to the seizure of drugs with a value of over €100,000 following a Garda operation in the county on Monday.

Gary Owens (45), of Ashbrook, Clogherboy, Navan and Kenneth McMorrow (46), of Bective Park, Kilmessan, were remanded in custody to the sitting of the court on Tuesday next for directions in the case from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Owens was refused bail following Garda objections. The other accused didn’t apply for bail. They are both to appear via video link on Tuesday.

The pair was arrested on Wednesday at Navan Garda Station in regard to the seizure of cannabis with a value of €120,000 along with cash and a smaller quantity of another drug. A female in her 30’s was also arrested and was released without charge pending a file to the DPP.

Detective Garda Fahy gave evidence in court that he arrested Owens. The Detective said if Owens were granted bail he would be a “flight risk” when outlining Garda grounds for objection.

Defence Barrister James O’Brien said that he did not believe that Owens was a flight risk as “he has lived in Ireland his entire life and has a partner who resides with him at his address and that all of his ties are to this jurisdiction.”

Mr O’Brien asked if the court could be satisfied with strict bail conditions.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan said that she considered both the objections set out by Garda Fahy and the arguments presented for bail by Mr O’Brien. She refused the accused’s application because of the nature and the seriousness of the offences and for a number of other reasons.

Kenneth McMorrow is charged with five counts, with possession of a controlled drug, cannabis, at the L5000 Baronstown and also at land at Belpere on 19th January.

He faces further charges that on the same date at the same two locations he had possession of the drugs for sale or supply to another.

Also a fifth charge that on the same date at the L5000 Baronstown, he did engage in possessing €11,820 in cash that is the proceeds of criminal conduct.

There were three counts before the court against Garry Owens in respect of 19th January at the L5000 Baronstown for possession of cannabis, and possession of the drug for sale or supply, and at the same location on the same date a proceeds of crime charge concerning the €11,820 cash.