Two men accused of offences committed while participating in organised crime have been further remanded in custody.
Twenty-year-old Mark Dowling of Castlepark, Ballybane, and 29-year-old Paul Black of Corrach Bui, Rahoon, were brought in custody before Judge Aeneas McCarthy at Galway District Court yesterday.
Both men were arrested following a large scale investigation in the west into organised crime last week. Black was brought before a special court sitting on the evening of June 2 last charged with knowing a criminal organisation existed, did participate in an activity for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the organisation to commit a serious offence, namely possession of cannabis with intent to supply, between July 23, 2009 and June 1, 2010.
Co-accused Dowling appeared before a special sitting of Galway District Court last Friday evening charged with knowing that a criminal organisation existed, did participate in an activity for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the organisation to commit a serious offence, namely possession of cannabis with intent to supply between July 23, 2009, and June 1, 2010.
In court yesterday Inspector Ernie White made an application for both accused to be further remanded in custody. He added that because of the nature of the offences bail could only be granted by the High Court.
Black’s solicitor Olivia Traynor confirmed that there was consent but that a bail application has been lodged with the High Court.
Judge McCarthy then granted the inspector’s application and further remanded both men in custody to appear at Harristown District Court on June 18 next for DPP directions.
Twenty premises including private residences and offices were searched by gardai on Tuesday morning of last week as part of Operation Foolscap, an on-going investigation into organised criminal activity including drugs and firearms offences, intimidation, extortion, burglaries, and robberies. As a result a total of 12 arrests was made for suspected offences under the Criminal Justice (Amendment ) Act 2009. Three were later released without charge.
A special court sitting last Saturday night heard how 26-year-old Eddie O’Loughlin of Rockfield Park, Rahoon, and his brother 29-year-old Michael O’Loughlin of Rahylin Glebe, Ballybane, were charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in Galway between February and June of this year.
A third man, 22-year-old Dean Shepard of Cooke’s Terrace, Bohermore, was also brought before the same court sitting charged with having possession of cannabis resin with intent to supply at Castlegar, Galway, on April 12, 2010.
All three accused men were remanded in custody to appear before Harristown District Court tomorrow.
