FIVE MEN, including a prison officer and a number of inmates, have been charged in relation to the smuggling of illegal drugs, alcohol and mobile phones into Mountjoy Prison, Dublin.
The men appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday following a lengthy investigation by the Garda's Organised Crime Unit.
The charges relate to cases where contraband was successfully smuggled into the jail as well as a smuggling-related conspiracy and the possession of illegal drugs in Mountjoy and at a residential address.
Prison officer Dillon O'Brien (36), Clonsilla, Dublin, was charged with 14 offences alleged to have taken place between January 2005 and March 2007.
Six of the charges related to cases in which he allegedly conveyed mobile phones to Mountjoy inmate Thomas Hinchon (30), St Ronan's Close, Clondalkin. One of those six charges also related to the conveying of a bottle of vodka to Hinchon.
In a further five cases, Mr O'Brien is charged with bringing heroin to Hinchon at Mountjoy Prison.
In another case, it is alleged that Mr O'Brien conspired with Wayne Bradley (28), Ratoath Road, Finglas, Dublin, in the supply of cocaine to Mountjoy inmate David Mulvey (24), Berryfield Drive, Finglas.
The 13th offence with which the prison officer is charged relates to conspiracy to bring two mobile phones to Mountjoy prisoner Donnagh O'Brien.
The 14th and last charge against Mr O'Brien is possession of cocaine at his home in Clonsilla on March 15th, 2007.
Judge Miriam Malone remanded him in custody with consent to bail to appear before Dublin District Court on August 26th.
Hinchon was charged with three offences of conspiring with Mr O'Brien to bring heroin into Mountjoy Prison.
He was also charged with three offences of conveying mobile phones to the jail.
All of Hinchon's six charges are alleged to have been committed between January 2005 and March 2007.
Hinchon's brother, Seán (30), St Ronan's Close, Clondalkin, Dublin, was charged with the same six offences as his brother; three relating to smuggling of heroin into Mountjoy with Mr O'Brien and three relating to the smuggling of mobile phones to the jail.
Paul Dixon (27), Valeview Drive, Finglas, Dublin, was charged with six drugs possession offences.
All related to the possession of cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine on March 15th, 2007, at cell 26, landing B3 at Mountjoy prison.
In another case related to the smuggling operation at Mountjoy, Nigel Curran (32), Corduff Gardens, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was charged with the theft of 208 packets of Ventolin inhaler valued at €742 from a premises in Citywest, Dublin.
Curran was also charged with the theft of hair care products from the same premises, between February and April, 2007.
Judge Malone remanded the two Hinchons, Mr Dixon and Mr Curran on bail to appear again before Dublin District Court on July 29th.
