MEN CHARGED OVER ‘STASH OF HEROIN’ IN BALLYSEEDY

ONE MAN REMANDED IN CUSTODY FROM DINGLE DISTRICT COURT

A MAN charged with having heroin worth €10,000 in his possession when he was allegedly ‘caught in the act’ by gardaí following what they said was a surveillance operation in Ballyseedy Wood on Thursday was remanded in custody at Dingle District Court on Friday.

Rokas Venkus, 77 Killeen Woods, Tralee, appeared before Judge David Waters alongside Irmantas Kazlauskas, Apartment 3, 3 South Terrace, Basin View, Tralee, each charged in relation to a seizure of heroin at the woods on Thursday. Both men were arrested at 1.40pm on Thursday in the woods, gardaí told the Court.

They were each charged with possession of ‘diamorphine’ (heroin) for the purposes of sale or supply and with the unlawful possession of heroin.

Irmantas Kazlauskas made no reply to the charges; Rokas Venkus replied ‘no comment’ to each of the charges when they were put to him at Tralee Garda Station, Gda Niall O’Sullivan told Judge Waters. Gda O’Sullivan objected to bail in the case of Mr Venkus. Gardaí did not object to bail for Mr Kazlauskas, who was released subject to a number of conditions.

In opposing bail for Venkus, Gda O’Sullivan cited the ‘nature of the seizure’, saying that the evidence in the case was ‘extremely strong’.

Questioned by solicitor Pádraig O’Connell on the gda’s statement that Mr Venkus was ‘caught in the act’, Gda O’Sullivan said: “He was under surveillance at the time. He had a glass jar containing heroin in his hand, which he had recovered from where it was stashed in Ballyseedy.” The Gda told the court he believed Mr Venkus would commit offences if bailed. Mr O’Connell said he believed his client had denied the section 15 charge.

Judge Waters said: “Garda opinion is that, if he is released, he is quite likely to commit serious offences while on bail. There is no condition under section two that I can apply to adequately address these fears,” refusing bail and putting the case back to today, January 30, at Tralee.