Dublin pair in court over alleged €6,400 drone drug delivery to Cloverhill Prison

Tom Tuite

Two Dublin men accused of using a drone to fly more than €6,000 worth of drugs into Cloverhill Prison have been granted bail.

Craig Doyle, 25, of the Paddocks Way, Adamstown, Lucan, and 30-year-old Adam Aspel, with an address at Corkagh Grange Way, Clondalkin, were arrested by gardaí carrying out surveillance of drone activity on March 28th.

On Monday, they appeared at Dublin District Court, where Judge Treasa Kelly set bail with a range of conditions, including "no drone activity".

Each man is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis, heroin, and tablets estimated to be worth €6,422, conveying controlled drugs into a prison, and using a drone to fly drugs into Cloverhill Prison in west Dublin.

Ronanstown-based Garda Kevin Duff alleged the pair were observed in an area of Collinstown Park, near Cloverhill and Wheatfield Prisons.

Objecting to Aspel's bail, he alleged that gardaí had observed two men in the area. He said Aspel went to the far side of a hedge and ran.

He maintained that Aspel tried to evade gardaí.

Drugs were found on the ground and more beside a drone and its controller in a hedge.

Garda Duff said the drone had been activated because its lights were on.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Donal Quigley, he conceded that he did not see Aspel discard anything.

The defence solicitor emphasised that the evidence was not strong, that his client was in a field adjacent to the incident, and no one saw him do anything.

Quigley stressed his client happened to be there at the time and denies the charges.

Judge Kelly held that bail terms could be applied.

There was also consent for Doyle to be released with conditions. His solicitor, Colleen Gildernew, said that a lengthy period was required to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and to have the drugs analysed.

They must stay away from the two prisons, be contactable by phone, and have no drone activity whatsoever.

Doyle's case was adjourned until September, while his co-accused will appear again on Tuesday.