Tullow man on €3 million drugs released on bail

A COUNTY Carlow man has been granted bail in connection with a €3m drugs bust at Rosslare Europort.

Tony Abbey (51) of Coolkenno, Tullow, County Carlow, came before Judge Mirian Walsh at a special sitting of Wexford District Court to-day (Wednesday).

Mr Abbey is charged with two drug offences, the possession of cannabis, and the possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply at Rosslare Europort on Saturday 22 August.

Revenue Officers seized approximately 150kg of suspected herbal cannabis, following the search of the truck which had disembarked the ferry.

The drugs were discovered as the result of routine profiling, when a truck that had disembarked a ferry from Bilbao, Spain, was stopped and searched by Custom Officers at Rosslare Europort.

When the case came before Gorey District Court on Monday last, Judge Walsh granted bail on certain conditions.

The accused, Mr Abbey came back before Wexford District Court to-day. (Wednesday).

Sergt Stephen Ennis told the court that he would be seeking a further adjournment to allow for the preparation of the Book of Evidence, with the investigation continuing to ascertain if there are other charges to follow.

Defence Solicitor, Chris Hogan, told Judge Walsh that the accused man had taken up bail at Carlow District Court on Monday when all bail conditions were complied with.

Mr Hogan said that the independent bail conditions are being complied with as is the accused's personal bail bond.

Judge Walsh granted bail in an independent surety of €40,000, and a personal surety of €20,000, the evidence of the available monies having been supplied to the court.

Judge Walsh also ordered that the accused sign on twice a day at Tullow Garda Station, observe a curfew from 11pm to 7am while also providing a mobile phone number, and not to apply for any travel documents.

The accused was remanded on bail to appear before Wexford District Court on 9 December to allow for service of the Book of Evidence.