Two men to face trial after seizure of €1.5m of heroin

A Wexford truck driver and a Dublin man are to face trial following a seizure of €1.5 million of heroin on Wednesday.

Gardaí attached to the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau with officers from the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service seized about 10 kilos of suspected heroin with an estimated street value of €1.5 million following the interception of two vehicles at a service station on the Naas Road close to Rathcoole, in south Co Dublin.

The two men were arrested for drug trafficking offences and were detained at Clondalkin Garda Station, under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. They were charged on Wednesday evening in connection with the seizure.

Truck driver Vincent Halligan (32), with an address at St Anne’s Villas, Duncormick, Co Wexford, and Joseph O’Neill of Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot, west Dublin, who turned 40 on Thursday, were remanded in custody after they appeared before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court.

The pair are charged unlawfully possessing heroin and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply. Det Garda Eamonn Tighe told Judge Walsh they“made no reply” when the charges were put to them.

He confirmed that the drugs were believed to be worth €1.5 million and directions from the DPP need to be obtained which he expected would take six to eight weeks.

Neither man applied for bail and were remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that Mr Halligan was in employment and a certificate of his means was furnished by his solicitor to the judge who agreed to grant legal aid.

Legal aid was also granted Mr O’Neill.

They remained silent during the hearing and have not yet indicated how they intend to plead.