Man arrested following Cork drugs raid where garda suffered fractured leg refused bail

A member of An Garda Síochána carrying out a targeted drugs search was pushed aside by the accused man and sustained a serious fracture to his right leg, it emerged today during an objection to bail being granted to the defendant.

Detective Garda Patrick O’Sullivan testified in the prosecution objection to bail being granted to Zydrunas Rudikovas of Hawthorn Mews, Dublin Hill, Cork. 

He said the seriousness of the alleged incident which occurred on Saturday, January 18, was one of the grounds for the objection to bail.

Gardaí with a warrant were engaged in a targeted search of the defendant’s home because of the suspected sale or supply of heroin in the city.

“Gardaí arrived at his address and met him leaving the property to be searched. He tried to evade gardaí. He pushed past Garda Eoin Harrington who suffered a serious fracture of his lower right leg.

“Heroin with a street value of €3,310 was located and €10,215 in cash.

“I would say it was a serious attempt to obstruct a search. During interview he insisted the drugs were only for personal use. He said in relation to the cash that he was holding €3,215 for a friend and that the rest of it he won in a casino.

“Gardaí believe that if given bail he would engage in the sale or supply of heroin in Cork city. As a result of his struggle and obstruction a garda was seriously injured,” Det Garda O’Sullivan said.

Eddie Burke solicitor, said there was no issue with the identity of the accused who had been in Ireland for the past four or five years and that he cooperated with gardaí, answering questions. 

Mr Burke suggested that there would be a long delay in the analysis of the drugs which would delay the case and that the defendant could find himself remanded in custody for a lengthy period.

The detective disagreed and said the drugs had been analysed already, as heroin seizures in the area had been given priority as a result of the deaths of two young men a week ago.

Judge Dorgan refused bail and remanded the accused in custody until January 29.

41-year-old Zydrunas Rudikovas is charged with possession of Diamorphine (heroin), having the drug for sale or supply, impeding or obstructing Garda Eoin Harrington in duties conferred on him under the Misuse of Drugs Act by allegedly putting his hand to his mouth and swallowing suspected deal bags of Diamorphine and violently resisting and obstructing Garda Harrington, fracturing his leg. 

He is also charged with money-laundering - €10,215 cash, knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct.