Court hears members of alleged gang were under surveillance in Cork city

The garda file is running to more than 3,000 pages in the investigation of four men who are allegedly members of a Lithuanian organised crime gang that was under garda surveillance in Cork city.

Sergeant John Kelleher gave details on the extent of the file as he explained why it was taking some time for DPP directions to be given in the case. Sgt Kelleher said the file was running to more than 3,000 pages.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke applied to have the cases struck out in light of delay, but Judge Mary Dorgan refused this application. All four men appeared by video link from prison and were remanded in custody for two weeks.

It was previously indicated that there were 450 exhibits in the case, 30 certificates of analysis from Forensic Science Ireland as well as ballistics and DNA evidence.

Jonas Pavilionis (46) of no fixed address is charged with having heroin and possessing it for sale or supply on the second floor of Douglas Shopping Centre car park on March 25, and having a machete on the same date. The value of the alleged seizure was €3,920. He was charged that on Sunday March 23 at Audley Place, St Patrick’s Hill, Cork, he had two bill-hooks. The allegation was that he was seen stashing them behind an electricity box.

Aleksandras Kuznecovas (38) of no fixed address, was allegedly identified as one of the main street dealers in the operation and charged with selling diamorphine on three different occasions to undercover gardaí. 

The dates of these controlled purchases were January 19 2024 at Thomas Davis Bridge, Western Road, Cork, and January 23 2024 (on Mardyke Bridge) and January 25 2024 (on banks of Lee Walkway). Three bags of diamorphine were sold.

Pranas Motriuk (46) of 13 Manor Grove, Thornbury View, Rochestown, Cork, is charged with three counts under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act related to an improvised shotgun, a 9mm Zoraki semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. 

He is charged with having two false IDs, namely a Lithuanian driver’s licence and a personal ID card, allegedly carrying his picture but someone else’s name. 

All of those charges relate to March 25 at his home in Rochestown. Finally, he is charged with money laundering in relation to sums of €470 and €1,050 at North City Link Road on September 25 2024, and at Kyrls Street on October 3 2024, respectively.

Those three defendants were remanded in custody to September 30. Judge Dorgan remanded the fourth man, Karolis Guzauskas, in custody until October 1.

Guzauskas, (33) faces 12 counts of possession of diamorphine (heroin) and 12 counts of having heroin for sale or supply. The detective said that on five dates, the defendant allegedly sold heroin to 12 undercover gardaí in the Fitzgerald’s Park and Mardyke area.