Father-of-five charged over Clare dugs seizure fails in bid to be allowed return home

A father-of-five who is charged in relation to a significant drugs seizure in County Clare has failed in his bid to be allowed to return to his home in Shannon.

Michael O’Callaghan, aged 33, who has an address at Inis Eagla in Shannon appeared before Ennis District Court having made an application to vary his bail conditions.

He is currently on bail after being charged with the possession of drugs with intent to supply under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The court heard that on June 22 last, gardaí conducted a search of Mr O’Callaghan’s home where they found cocaine to the value of €5,528.60 and cannabis to the value of €276.

Paraphernalia, including a "weighing scales on top of a washing machine” was also located at the property and gardai allege the items are linked to the sale and supply of drugs. 

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Sergeant John Burke said that gardaí are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the case and that the matter is not due back before the court until early next year.

While Mr O’Callaghan was previously granted bail, one of the conditions is that he live away from his family residence in Shannon at an address in Kilmallock, County Limerick. 

At Ennis District Court, he sought to have that condition removed so that he could return to the Clare town to take up a part-time job.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr O’Callaghan had been offered a role with a signage company adding that it has been a “very difficult time” for her client, who is co-parenting his five children.

Mr O’Callaghan himself pleaded with the judge, saying he was “dragging” his kids “all over the country” and that he wasn’t “a violent person”.

The application was opposed by gardai and Judge Gabbett had little time for the request, stating: “I’m not a fool” and that he was concerned "somebody thinks I'm a bit of a mug".

The judge said he was “not certain” that Mr O’Callaghan returning to Shannon was a good idea. “I’m suspicious he’s coming back to a job but not the job he says,” he commented.

Sergeant John Burke agreed with the judge and expressed concern about the possibility of Mr O’Callaghan committing further drug-related offences.

Judge Gabbett noted that it was he who granted bail last June and he said he didn't see any reason to change the conditions imposed. Accordingly, he refused the application to vary bail.

The case was adjourned for an update on DPP's directions.