TWO #Limerick brothers will be sentenced at Limerick Circuit Court after pleading guilty to drugs offences after Gardai seized €50,000 worth of heroin during a raid last December.
Brian Collopy (43) of Kilonan, Ballysimon and Kieran Collopy (40) of St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park had been charged before a special sitting of the District Court when they were found in possession of a quantity of heroin at St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick on December 15.
The brothers were also charged with possession of heroin with intent for sale or supply on the same date.
Bail was refused and a High Court application was withdrawn with both men remaining in custody since their arrest in December.
This Tuesday, they were further charged with an offence contrary to section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act, where the drugs found believed to be for sale or supply were valued in excess of €13,000.
A conviction under this legislation carries a mandatory minimum ten year prison sentence.
Both were returned to the Circuit Court this week after signing guilty pleas.
It is the State’s case that the Collopy brothers were found cutting up the drugs at a kitchen table in the house in St Mary’s Park during an operation involving Gardaí from the national and divisional drugs units, armed Regional Support Unit as well as local detectives.
The brothers were refused bail after Gardaí expressed concerns that they would leave the jurisdiction to avoid standing trial and were considered a genuine flight risk.
This week, both men were granted free legal aid and assigned two legal counsel each to represent them in the case despite early objections by the State.
They are due to appear before Judge Tom O’Donnell at Limerick Circuit Court next week when a date for sentencing will be set.
