Wicklow woman (50s) has €250,000 drugs seizure case escalated to higher court

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

A District Court judge has refused jurisdiction in a drugs case involving the seizure of more than €250,000 worth of herbal cannabis at a home in Arklow

Kim Keogh (52), with an address at Murrell Drive, Inbhear Mór Park, Arklow, County Wicklow, appeared before a sitting of Arklow District Court

The accused is charged with unlawful possession of drugs and unlawful possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Ms Keogh was charged following a multi-agency operation, in which officers seized more than €250,000 worth of herbal cannabis on in early October 2025.

The intelligence-led operation involved the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the Bray Drugs Unit, the Bray and Arklow District Detective Units, and Revenue’s Customs Service.

Officers initially discovered approximately 6.6kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated street value of €132,000, during a search at Ms Keogh’s home address.

A follow-up search uncovered a further 6kg of herbal cannabis, bringing the total seizure to approximately 12.6kg, valued at €252,000.

Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions are unavailable due to a backlog of testing by Forensic Science Ireland. It could be six months before analysis is available.

Directions were due to be made peremptory against the State, but after hearing the alleged estimated street value of the drugs, Judge David Kennedy refused jurisdiction.

This means Ms Keogh will be dealt with in Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court before a judge and jury.

Judge Kennedy adjourned the matter for a period of six weeks to allow the prosecution to put together the book of evidence.

Ms Keogh is due back before Arklow District Court in late April.