Eight people in court on drugs charges following garda operation

SIX MEN and two women have been charged with the distribution of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, following a year-long garda operation in Gorey.

The eight were charged at Wexford District Court last Wednesday before Judge Brian O’Shea.

In each case, the court was told that the charges stemmed from incidents where the accused allegedly sold drugs to an undercover garda.

The garda investigation, which used undercover gardaí investigating street dealing in the Gorey area, was carried out under the name Operation Ateca.

It was carried out by Gorey detective branch, supported by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Karen Dempsey (38) of Meadowgate, Gorey, was charged with having €40 worth of heroin with intent to supply to others.

Daniel Dunbar (30) of Castle Nova, Courtown Road, Gorey, was charged with having €30 of heroin and Xanax tablets with intent to supply to others.

Robert Chamberlin (38) of Hazelwood, Gorey, was charged with having €30 of heroin with intent to supply to others.

Chris Kenny (25) of Heath Ramsgate Village, Gorey, was also charged with having €30 of heroin with intent to supply to others.

Craig Travers (26) of Willow Park, Gorey, faced charges of having €70 of cocaine with intent to supply to others, while Stephen Bolton (27) of Monbay, Lower Craanford, Gorey, was charged with two incidents of drug supply involving €50 cocaine deals.

John Kirwan (43) of Riverchapel Avenue, in Courtown, was charged with drug supply in relation to a sale of €25 of heroin to a garda.

Melissa O’Brien (30) of Villa Mara, Courtown, was charged in relation to selling €40 of heroin to a garda.

All the offences are alleged to have occurred between January 1 and December 31 last year in a sample purchasing operation organised by Gorey detective unit.

Judge O’Shea remanded all the eight suspects on continuing bail to appear in court again on July 9.