Man, 27, accused of having 10k in cocaine and money laundering loses bail appeal

A 27-year-old man accused of having over €10,000 in cocaine and of money laundering more than €28,000 had his High Court bail appeal refused and he was remanded in custody until January 8.

Sergeant John Dineen said that the defendant, Blessing Ike, of Knocknamallavoge, Spur Hill, Cork, was refused bail initially at Cork District Court and now his appeal of this refusal was unsuccessful at the High Court.

Judge Mary Dorgan said the defendant’s consent would be required to remand him in custody for longer than two weeks, after Sgt Dineen said the DPP directions would not be available in a fortnight. Solicitor Killian McCarthy said the accused would consent to a three-week adjournment.

Judge Dorgan adjourned the case to January 8.

The details of the alleged offence were outlined during the bail application.

It was alleged that on November 25, a search warrant was executed at the residence at Knocknamallavoge, Spur Hill, Cork, the home of Mr Ike, and that the defendant was found inside a locked bedroom of the house.

A search of the property was completed by gardaí, and it was alleged that they located a concealed cabinet with a timber panel door adjacent to the bath in the en suite bathroom of his bedroom. Suspected cocaine valued at €10,290 and €28,815 cash in various denominations were located inside this concealed cabinet.