Casino dealer charged over €2m drug seizure has bail conditions relaxed
Tom Tuite
A casino croupier charged over a €2 million drug seizure in Dublin had one of his bail conditions relaxed as his case was adjourned pending analysis of the haul.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) arrested Sean Mackey, 53, and two other men during an operation on February 22nd.
He and his co-defendants are accused of unlawful possession of 100 kilos of cannabis worth €2 million and having the drugs for sale or supply after gardai intercepted vehicles on the N3 northbound.
He required a €25,000 independent surety but has taken up bail and appeared before Judge Maire Conneely at Blanchardstown District Court.
She adjourned the case pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and allowed gardaí more time to get a certificate of analysis.
She ordered Mr Mackey to appear again on July 26th and acceded to a defence request to change the daily requirement at a Garda station from twice to once a day. There was no Garda objection.
He had to surrender his passport and not apply for replacements, and must notify of any address changes, and be contactable 24/7 by phone.
The proceedings have heard Mr Mackey, of Blessington Street, Dublin 7, was originally from South Africa but has lived in the State for 20 years and is now an Irish national with dual citizenship.
Father of two, Gary Hanley, 35, from North Great Clarence Street, Dublin 1, and a third co-defendant, Jie Liu, 39, are also charged over the alleged seizure on the N3.
Mr Liu, of Cedar Grove, Swords, Co. Dublin, alone had additional charges for possessing a further €1 million worth of cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine at an apartment in West End Villas, Blanchardstown, Dublin 14, allegedly leased by him.
He is back in court on July 26th, while Mr Hanley will appear again in May.
The proceedings have heard that Mr Liu was originally from China but is an Irish national and no longer a Chinese citizen.
At their first hearing in February, GNDOCB Detective Dean Healy said they could face more serious charges. He alleged the case was related to "large-scale drug distribution".
