Man allegedly threw €80k of drugs over wall, Kildare court hears

A MAN who allegedly threw two kilos of cannabis into a back garden in Newbridge whilst being pursued, only for the owners to throw it back over the wall again, failed in his attempts to have the charge struck out, and was remanded in custody for another fortnight.

Appearing in Naas District Court by videolink was Lee Price (26), with an address in Kingswood Park in Tallaght, who had spent previoys week on remand in Cloverhill.

Mr Price was charged with possession with intent to supply of €80,000 worth of cannabis at Dara Park, Newbridge on 19 June 2024 - exactly one year to the day before his court appearance this week.

Sergeant Dave Hanrahan said he was still awaiting directions on the charge, but that “the investigating guard is still awaiting forensic analysis”.

“The offence was last June, but he wasn’t arrested until May, so because of this, the forensic analysis is vital,” explained the sergeant.

“My client has no idea why it took so long to be arrested,” said solicitor Tim Kennelly.

“If they wanted to find him, they could’ve, he wasn’t trying to duck anything.

“This should be struck out, a matter that is a year old, and we’re only at the very beginning of the prosecution?

“Why weren’t the drugs sent off last year?” “Why not?” agreed Judge Desmond Zaidan with Mr Kennelly’s not unreasonable question.

“We were not looking for him,” said the sergeant.

“He’s been in court in the meantime. They could’ve found him,” said Mr Kennelly.

“I was in that actual courthouse! Come on!” protested the defendant from screen.

“The drugs were sent for DNA analysis, for fingerprint analysis on the packaging,” said the sergeant.

“They’re trying to match fingerprints taken from you with fingerprints on the package,” the judge explained to the defendant.

Investigating officer Garda Vinny Teehan took the stand, and testified he had only taken over the investigation in August 2024 from a colleague who was transferring to Cork, “and the drugs had already been sent to FSI (Forensic Science Ireland)”.

“Two co-defendants were arrested in February and April, but we couldn’t find Mr Price,” said Garda Teehan.

“We were in contact with gardaí in Ballyfermot and Tallaght and they weren’t able to find him.

“In Dara Park the drugs were allegedly thrown over a fence into a garden, and then thrown back by the residents.” 

“There was a Section 17 arrest on my client earlier that day, so you’d surely have his fingerprints from then?” asked Mr Kennelly.

“He was recognised from CCTV in the vicinity … but we have to get DNA analysis from each separate incident,” said Garda Teehan.

“Ah, come on will ye!” said an exasperated defendant.

“I was given the impression he was evading capture, but that wasn’t the case,” said Mr Kennelly.

“He was in court, but both times they were adjourned,” he added.

“When arrested (for drug possession in Newbridge Garda Station on 20 May, 2024) they had his fingerprints, he was live before this court, and nothing was done for a year, and now they’re asking for a further adjournment?

“This is not fair. We get to go home this evening and he is in jail,” said Mr Kennelly.

“Other suspects?” asked the judge.

“One juvenile, and one other, there was no objection to bail,” said Garda Teehan.

“He was refused High Court bail yesterday,” revealed the guard.

“He was very persistent on 5 June, and I know you have strong views on this, but a full investigation is imperative,” said the judge to Mr Kennelly.

“DNA could exonerate you – it works both ways.

“We need to live in the real world, so I will put it back”.

Mr Kennelly sought that the case be marked pre-emptory (no further adjournments) but the sergeant protested vigorously, saying: “It’s an independent laboratory”.

“We’re miles away from directions,” Mr Kennelly pointed out.

“Even if the fingerprints come back in four weeks, we still have to send the file to the DPP,” explained Garda Teehan after the judge tried to compromise with a short adjournment.

“I’m going draw the line, but I fully accept you’re doing your best for your client Mr Kennelly,” said the judge.

“The court has refused both applications – strike out, and marked pre-emptory,” said Mr Kennelly.

“He won’t consent to four weeks, so I’ll stay within my powers, and go two weeks to 3 July,” said the judge.

“I though it was innocent until proven guilty in Ireland, but it’s backward for me?” was Mr Price’s closing shout as he was led away from the videolink.