Man charged with four drug offences after €320,000 cannabis seizure in Cork

A 24‑year‑old man, Richard O’Brien, has been charged with four drug offences following a major Garda raid in rural Cork that seized cannabis worth more than €320,000.

O’Brien was arrested on Saturday after searches in Mallow and Doneraile. Detective Garda Anthony Finn said the defendant did not respond when charged under caution on Sunday. He now faces two counts of possession for sale or supply and two counts of simple possession.

During the operation, several homes in the Mallow area were searched and cannabis with an estimated street value of €208,000 was recovered. A follow‑up search in Doneraile yielded cannabis valued at about €115,000.

In Mallow District Court, held at Fermoy Courthouse, Sergeant Linda O’Leary reported that the State raised no objection to bail, subject to conditions including residence at a specified address, surrender of travel documents, daily sign‑in at the local Garda station and remaining sober in public. A €5,000 cash surety was provided by O’Brien’s mother, with the judge ordering a further €2,500 from the defendant.

The drugs will be analysed by Forensic Science Ireland, and a statement of means will be taken before any decision on legal aid. O’Brien is due to appear again on 23 February 2027.

The raid formed part of Operation Tara, the enhanced national anti‑drugs strategy, and involved Gardaí from the Cork County Divisional Drugs Unit, the Cork County Crime Units, the Regional Dog Units and the Armed Support Unit.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Miles Iwes / Pexels.