Courts / Dublin / Report

Gardai failed to find assault rifle and millions in drugs during search

Date
2019-03-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathcoole

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding a search at Sallins Bridge, Sallins, Co Kildare, on January 24, 2017. Michael Brady, 54, of Blackrock, Co Dublin, pleaded not guilty to nine counts, including alleged possession of €1.5 million worth of cocaine, €1.26 million worth of heroin, an assault rifle, and ammunition. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC alleged that gardaí failed to find these items during the initial search, which she described as a "very fast-moving operation." She stated that the property owner later discovered drugs and a firearm under a bed. The State's case is that forensic evidence links Mr Brady to the items. Earlier, the court ruled that Mr Brady's arrest and detention were lawful. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh. Separately, Declan Brady, 52, of Celbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to possessing 15 firearms and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park on the same day. He is awaiting sentence. Jonathan Harding and James Walsh were previously sentenced to ten and nine years' imprisonment, respectively, for possessing a "lethal arsenal" of weapons at the same location.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai failed to find assault rifle and millions in drugs during search. Charges or matters: possessing €1.5 million worth of cocaine, €1.26 million worth of heroin, an assault rife and more than 180 rounds of ammunition at a property at Sallins Bridge, in Sallins, Co Kildare on January 24, 2017; all nine counts on the indictment; possessing 15 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park on the day in question. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 24, 2017 Incident
January 24 Incident
January 28 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-03-15 Publication

Case subjects

Declan Brady

Convicted Person

Charges: possessing 15 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park on the day in question (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Michael Brady

Accused

Charges: possessing €1.5 million worth of cocaine, €1.26 million worth of heroin, an assault rife and more than 180 rounds of ammunition at a property at Sallins Bridge, in Sallins, Co Kildare on January 24, 2017; all nine counts on the indictment; possessing 15 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park on the day in question (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Earlier, judges at the Special Criminal Court ruled that the arrest and detention of Mr Brady was lawful.