Case over alleged €150,000 Cork heroin haul adjourned

The case against a 46-year-old man allegedly caught with a €150,000 stash of heroin has been adjourned until November 25.

Michael Hegarty of 13A Sunday School Lane, Blackpool, Cork, said he was previously addicted to heroin but had not used the drug for six months, and that he used to take cocaine.

Judge Mary Dorgan noted that the drugs were allegedly found on his property. She remanded him in custody, with consent to bail on his bond of €15,000, of which €10,000 is to be cash, on condition that he reside at his home address, abstain from intoxicants, sign on every day at Gurranabraher between 9am and 9pm, and observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am.

 He is not to apply for a passport or travel documents. He is to attend Arbour House and produce evidence of his attendance, the judge said.

Mr Hegarty was remanded in custody again until November 25, with consent to that bail.

The most serious charge is of possession of heroin for sale or supply at a time when the street value exceeded €13,000 — a charge which can carry a 10-year minimum sentence on conviction. The charge relates to March 26 at his home address.

Solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said the accused would consider whether he would be pleading guilty or not guilty.