This article is from page 2 of the 2013-10-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
GARDAÍ say efforts to track down an East Clare man suspected of the wholesale dealing of drugs in the county are ongoing.
The man was the target in 2011 of a major Garda operation against drug dealers operating in Clare.
The man, who is in his forties, fled the jurisdiction after being arrested two years ago on foot of a major drugs find on the Clare/Tipperary border. He is thought to be on the run in a Northern area of England.
The man was described at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday as being a suspected “wholesale dealer of drugs in Clare and Limerick”.
Garda Gary Stack of Ennis Garda Station told the court that the man was the target of the operation and that investigations into his whereabouts are continuing.
“We are following a definite line of enquiries,” added Gary Stack.
Judge Gerard Keys ordered that the man’s name not be disclosed in the media after Counsel for the DPP, Stephen Coughlan BL, warned that it could prejudice any potential trial against him.
Details of the Garda operation emerged at the sentencing of a Killaloe man who pleaded guilty to having cannabis for sale or supply at Ballina on November 14, 2011.
Jonathan Grimes (33), of Main Street, Killaloe, was the driver of a car carrying almost five kilos of cannabis resin, with an estimated value € 28.432.
Mr Grimes was one of two people who travelled to Dublin to collect the drugs. The court heard that the civil engineering student was asked by another man to make the journey. Garda Stack told the court that Mr Grimes had some idea he was going to collect drugs but had no idea of the quantity involved.
He said the other man may have taken advantage of Mr Grimes, who received € 150 and € 30 petrol money for driving the car. The other man has since fled the jurisdiction the court heard.
The court heard Mr Grimes had never come to Garda attention previously.
His barrister, Kenneth Kerins, said his client had developed serious drug and alcohol problems but has dedicated the last two years of his life to recovery and counselling.
Passing sentence, Judge Gerard Keys said it was accepted that Mr Grimes did not know the size of the consignment and was not the main person in charge of the transaction.
He imposed a three-year sentence, suspended on condition Mr Grimes continue his education and an rehabilitation.