Man in Cork court on charge of directing and controlling activities of criminal organisation

A charge of directing and controlling the activities of a criminal organisation was brought against a 47-year-old man who was allegedly directing gang members to deal heroin in Cork and was in possession of firearms.

Detective Garda Patrick O’Sullivan brought the charge of directing a criminal organisation and related charges against Prana Motriuk at Cork District Court.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the accused would be applying for bail on that charge at the High Court as there was no option to seek bail on that particular charge at district court level.

On this and other charges, Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in custody until October 28 at Cork District Court. The bail application will be made separately at the High Court. And Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that the DPP had directed trial by indictment on all charges at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

47-year-old Pranas Motriuk of 13 Manor Grove, Thornbury View, Rochestown, Cork, is also 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.

Detective Garda Patrick O’Sullivan said when the new charge was brought – the first time such a count was ever brought in Cork - “This follows large scale distribution of heroin in Cork and the investigation of the defendant and other subordinates who were dealing on his command.

“An improvised shotgun known as a slam-bang shotgun and a semi-automatic pistol were allegedly found at his home.

“Interviewed on 14 separate occasions, he said he had the slam-bang for protection. He elaborated that a friend was stabbed and slashed recently and this was for protection as a group. He said he was afraid these savages would return. He said he got false IDs on the internet as a joke.

“He said he found the pistol while exploring a castle outside Carrigaline and that he brought it home to protect his family at Manor Grove, Rochestown.” 

A new charge was also brought against 46-year-old Jonas Pavilionis of no fixed address by Detective Garda Ruairi McGovern. He was charged with committing an offence on behalf of a criminal organisation.

He was also 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. 

Existing Firearms Act charges were withdrawn and replaced with more serious counts under the same Act.

Two other men facing different drug-dealing charges arising out of the same investigation were also remanded in continuing custody, namely 38-year-old Aleksandras Kuznecovas of no fixed address, and 33-year-old Karolis Guzauskas of no fixed address.

A Lithuanian interpreter was present in court to assist all of the accused.