TWO CHARGED AFTER DRAMATIC CHECKPOINT INCIDENT IN MALLOW

MAN GRAZED IN SHOULDER AFTER GARDA DISCHARGES WEAPON

TWO men have appeared in court charged with separate drug offences following an incident in which a member of the Armed Support Unit discharged a single shot at a checkpoint at the Spa, Mitchelstown Road, Mallow on Thursday last.

One man suffered a graze injury to the shoulder.

The men were brought before separate court sittings over the weekend and charged with separate drug offences after the incident at the checkpoint and, in the case of one, a follow up search operation.

Keith Donovan (48) was charged with some seven drug offences relating to seizures by gardai of drugs, totalling over €3,000 in value, when he appeared at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Sunday. Mr Donovan was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale or supply and permitting possession of cocaine in a car over which he had control at Spa Road, Mallow on May 21st.

Mr Donovan was also charged with possession of a prescription sleeping medication, Zopiclone, and possession of Zopiclone for sale or supply at Monataggart, Donoughmore, Co Cork on May 22nd

He also was also charged with two further offences of possessing the prescription opiate Methadone and possessing Methadone for sale or supply, also at Monataggart, Donoughmore on May 22nd

Det Garda Paul Leahy of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Mr Donovan made no reply after caution to any of the seven charges when they were put to him.

Insp Tony Sullivan said that gardai had no objection to bail for Mr Donovan with conditions attached. Det Garda Leahy said that gardai were seeking for Mr Donovan, a native of Gurranebraher in Cork city but now resident at Donoughmore, to reside at that address and abide by a 9pm to 8am curfew there, and to sign on three times a week at Gurranebraher Garda Station once Covid-19 restrictions on travel are relaxed or lifted.

Gardai were also seeking that he provide gardai with a mobile phone number and that he would undertake to ensure that the mobile phone was fully charged and in credit so that he was contactable at all times. Det Garda Leahy said that gardai were also seeking that Mr Donovan would surrender his passport and undertake not to apply for a new passport or any other travel documents.

Gardai were also seeking he would undertake not to have any contact, directly or indirect with his co-accused, Stephen Murphy (35) from Passage West who was charged with two offences relating to possession of cocaine in Mallow.

Judge Patricia Harney warned Mr Donovan that this last condition meant that if he was to have any contact with Mr Murphy via social media such as Facebook or Snapchat, he would forfeit his bail and be taken into custody.

Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said that his client was willing to abide by all conditions and Insp Sullivan said gardai were seeking a month’s adjournment to Mallow District Court on June 23rd for the DPP’s directions.

Judge Harney granted the state application, which Mr Kelleher said was agreeable to his client, and she also granted Mr Donovan free legal aid after hearing he was in receipt of disability payment.

Earlier on Saturday, Stephen Murphy (35) from Passage West was charged at Cork District Court with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Mitchelstown Road, Mallow on May 21st.

Insp Pat Murphy said gardai had no objection to Mr Murphy, a native of Passage West in Co Cork, getting bail once certain conditions were met. These were similar to those imposed on Mr Donovan. Judge Roberts remanded Mr Murphy on his own bond to appear again on June 17th.