Posted by Updated / Saturday, 10 May 2025 20:28
A 62-year-old former Ryanair pilot has appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of over €10 million worth of cannabis herb.
Brendan O’Meara, with an address at An Tulach, Summer Hill, Meelick, Co Clare, was brought before a special sitting of the District Court in Ennis this afternoon.
He was charged with possession of a controlled drug, and possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply, at An Tulach, Summer Hill, Meelick, Co Clare on Wednesday 7 May.
The court was told Mr O’Meara made no reply when he was arrested, charged and cautioned.
Inspector Ronan Mc Mahon said the State’s application was to remand Mr O’Meara in custody pending instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr O’Meara’s solicitor Tara Godfrey indicated that there would be an application for bail, but gardaí said they would be objecting to on the basis that they believed that Mr O’Meara was a “high flight risk”.
Sergeant Rob Sheehy told Judge Marie Keane that further, more serious charges are likely to be made.
Ms Godfrey said her client would be willing to hand in his passport and three pilot licences, that he had returned his Dublin Airport ID and Ryanair crew pass, and that a family member was prepared to put forward an independent surety and bail bond to the value of €177,000.
However, Judge Keane said this is “an enormous haul of drugs with a street value of over €10m”.
She said she was refusing the bail application given the State believes he is a serious flight risk, and that more serious charges are likely to be made.
She remanded him in custody to appear again before Ennis District Court on Wednesday 14 May.
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