Man ‘tried to throw drug-filled copper pipes into prison’, court told

 30th March 2022

A DUBLIN man tried to throw copper pipes filled with drugs over the wall of a prison, it is alleged.

James McGinn (22) was arrested after the pipes were found to contain heroin, cannabis and pills, a court heard.

Judge David McHugh remanded him on continuing bail at Blanchardstown District Court, adjourning the case for the accused to decide how he intends to plead.

Mr McGinn, with an address at Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, is charged with attempting to convey drugs into Wheatfield prison in west Dublin.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan outlined the allegations, saying gardaí received a phone call from a prison officer on December 7, 2020.

The prison officer told gardaí a man had been observed throwing an object over the boundary wall into the prison.

The object consisted of two copper pipes which contained a mobile phone and drugs – a quantity of heroin valued at €326; 2.9 grammes of cannabis worth €78 and 43 ‘roach’ tablets with a combined value of €89.

Mr McGinn was identified, arrested and charged.

The DPP directed the charges could be dealt with in the district court if the judge accepted jurisdiction.

The judge accepted jurisdiction after hearing the summary of proposed evidence.

He made an order for disclosure of prosecution statements, and any CCTV evidence before adjourning the case.