A LANDSCAPE gardener charged with possession of almost half a million euro worth of cocaine played a “significant role” in transporting drugs for an organised crime gang in Limerick, a court heard.
Stephen McNamara (43), with an address at Woodcock Hill, Meelick, County Clare, appeared before Limerick District Court charged with one count of possession of cocaine for sale or supply following a Garda seizure valued at €490,000.
Detective Garda Brendan McSweeney, of Henry Street Garda Station, told the court he arrested Mr McNamara last Friday after searching the accused’s car, a black BMW, and discovering seven parcels of suspected cocaine.
Detective Garda McSweeney alleged that Mr McNamara admitted to Gardaí following his arrest that he knew he was transporting what he believed to be cocaine.
Objecting to bail, Detective Garda McSweeney alleged that Mr McNamara played a “significant role for the Keane organised crime group” and that the accused had been in contact with “leading members” of the gang.
The court heard Mr McNamara has ongoing drug addiction issues.
The Garda witness said he believed Mr McNamara would continue to allegedly play a “significant role in the logistics and transportation of cocaine in the city” if he was granted bail.
Under questioning from Mr McNamara’s solicitor Sarah Ryan, Detective Garda McSweeney agreed the accused was cooperative, courteous, and respectful to Gardaí following his arrest.
Ms Ryan put it to the Garda witness that Mr McNamara was running a landscaping business and was “not doing well financially”. Detective Garda McSweeney said he was not aware of any landscaping business and that Mr McNamara “had €2,000 in cash in his possession in his socks” and was driving a “€35,000 vehicle” when he was arrested.
Sergeant Sean Murray, prosecuting, alleged that the accused would “continue to commit scheduled offences to feed a (drug) habit and assist a known organised crime gang that we know he associates with”.
Judge Patricia Harney said she was granting Mr McNamara bail on a number of conditions, including that he lodge €500 with the court, that he be of good behaviour while on bail, that he reside at his home address only, and notify Gardaí of any change in his address, and that he sign on daily at Henry Street Garda Station.
The judge also ordered Mr McNamara “stay out of the Singland area of Limerick”, as requested by Gardaí.
The accused was also ordered to surrender his passport, provide Gardaí with a contact number, “and to remain alcohol and drug-free while in public”.
Mr McNamara, who was supported in court by family members, lodged the €500 bail bond that was brought to the court by a relative. He was remanded on bail to appear before Limerick District Court again on March 12, 2025.
A second man, aged in his 60s, who was also arrested last Friday as part of the drugs probe, was “released without charge pending further investigations”, a Garda spokeswoman said.
