Athy man allegedly found with over €30,000 of drugs appears in court

A MAN allegedly found with over €30,000 worth of drugs, as well as €9,000 in cash, was sent forward this week (25 March) for trial at the next sittings of Naas Circuit Court, which begin at the end of April.

Nigel Berry (35) with an address at Flinter’s Close in Athy was in his local district court to formally receive his book of evidence and subsequently his date for trial and alibi warning.

Mr Berry is facing four charges of drug possession, four for possession with intent to supply, and one charge of trafficking.

This last charge is where the value of the seizure is greater that €12,700 (or £10,000 when this section was introduced in 1999.)

Observed by gardaí

Sergeant Dave Hanrahan outlined the facts in the case, that on 16 January 2024 in Flinter’s Close, “gardaí observed Mr Berry as a passenger in a car, and when searched, found €20,000 worth of cannabis and €9,000 in cash".

A subsequent search of the defendant’s home allegedly revealed approximately €13,000 worth of MDMA, better known as Ecstasy tablets.

After the formalities were complete, his solicitor Jackie McManus made an application for legal aid for herself and one junior counsel for the superior court trial.

“Only one? You must have great faith … but don’t mention my name,” smiled Judge Desmond Zaidan.

He then sent Mr Berry on for trial to the next sittings of the circuit court, which begin on 29 April.