Three people were remanded in custody when they appeared before a special court sitting in Galway yesterday on charges arising out of what was described as the biggest-ever seizure of drugs in the city last week. The three, two brothers and the fiancee of one, all face charges of possession, and possession for the purpose of supply, of cannabis resin, cannabis and cocaine. They were refused bail and remanded in custody to appear at Galway District Court this morning.
Before the court were Mr Billy Ryan (32), a carpenter with an address at Claremont Park, Rahoon, Galway, but said to be living in England; his brother, Mr Jimmy Ryan (30), an unemployed painter-decorator, of Claremont Park; and his fiancee, Ms Bernadette Lambe (30), also of Claremont Park.
Mr Billy Ryan was further charged with knowingly permitting the possession of the drugs at Claremont Park.
The court was told the three were arrested last Wednesday.
Det Garda Gerry O'Callaghan said that when charged with possession of cannabis and cannabis resin for the purpose of supply, Mr Billy Ryan replied: "It was in my house." In answer to the charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of supply, he said: "I did not know it was in my house." And in answer to the other charges he had replied "no".
Garda Jarlath Burke told the court that when charged with possession of cannabis resin, Ms Bernadette Lambe replied: "I did not know about the quantity" and said she had no knowledge of the other drugs. Garda Joe Ward said Mr Jimmy Ryan had replied "nothing to say" when the charges were put to him.
Judge John Garavan was told the value of cocaine and cannabis, seized after a two-year investigation, was £130,000.
Supt Jim Sugrue opposed bail in all three cases.
Judge Garavan indicated that he would consider the question of bail for Ms Lambe today.