Louth man accused of having 30,000 illicit tablets in dog kennel at his home

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 26-year-old man accused of having €63,500 drugs has been remanded in custody with consent to bail.

William McDonagh, 1 Naughton’s Close, Hoey’s Lane, Dundalk, is charged with possession and possession for sale or supply of 31,750 Alprazolam tablets at that address on October 1 last.

During a contested bail application, a garda said that in an intelligence-led operation Gardaí, including members of the local Garda Drugs Unit, executed a search warrant at 6.45pm at the house in Naughton’s Close.

It will be alleged that a black bin bag was found in a dog kennel on the property, filled with white plastic bags of suspected Alprazolam tablets.

The kennel was beside the back door of the house, overlooked by the kitchen window. Mr McDonagh was not present at the time.

The garda continued that the defendant was arrested and charged at 10.55pm on October 14. He made no reply after caution.

Judge Nicola Andrews granted Mr McDonagh bail in his own bond of €2,000, with €2,000 cash lodged and a €10,000 independent surety to be approved by the court. The judge said the court also wanted to know the provenance of the €2,000 cash.

Conditions include that William McDonagh resides at 1 Naughton’s Close, signs on daily at Dundalk Garda Station, observes a 10pm to 7am curfew, surrenders his passport and be contactable by mobile phone.

The accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail to October 22 for DPP directions.

Legal aid was granted and the court certified for counsel.