Courts / Meath / Report

Drugs accused (70) suffering with cancer and in prison isolation, court hears

Date
2020-03-27

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Gormanston

County
Meath

Summary

A 70‑year‑old cancer patient, Ronald Gordon, is in prison isolation because of Covid‑19 concerns and has been denied High Court bail. Gordon, a UK national, is charged with possession of cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at Sarsfieldstown, Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 8 May 2019. The drugs are estimated to be worth about €2.5 million. He has applied for bail three times; the latest application was accompanied by a consultant's letter from Beaumont Hospital detailing his health difficulties, which was not presented at earlier hearings. Counsel for Gordon, Michael Hourican BL, argued that his prognosis was "not good at all" and that prison authorities were anxious to release vulnerable inmates. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Nicola Cox BL, maintained that the objection to bail was not made lightly, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the lack of any change in circumstances that would justify release.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drugs accused (70) suffering with cancer and in prison isolation, court hears. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at Sarsfieldstown, in Gormanston, Co Meath, on May 8, 2019. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When: