Philip Lawless, a DHL worker and father of four, was alleged to play a significant part in a complex operation involving drugs in Dublin, as per the Garda Dublin Crime Response Team. Lawless, based in Forest Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare, was arrested at Dublin Castle and subsequently detained at Kevin Street station.
He was arraigned last Friday night on charges of being in possession of cannabis and cocaine, purportedly for sale or supply, found in a Ballymount Industrial Estate storage depot, as well as holding cannabis intended for sale or supply at a north inner city address on Beresford Street.
His bail application was rejected by Judge Marie Quirke in the Dublin District Court on Saturday. Lawless, who had his wife and aged father present in court for support, responded with silence to the charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act – a detail court officials were informed of by Garda Tara Higgins.
It was Higgins who argued against bail, revealing to the court that drugs valued at more than €3 million were discovered in several locations. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of cannabis and cocaine. Specifically, Higgins claimed that approximately 115 kilos of cannabis worth around €2.3 million were found in the Ballymount Industrial Estate storage unit. Additionally, ten kilos of cocaine estimated to be worth €700,000, and a further €6,000 worth of cannabis were seized from another site.
Criteria for the allegations include Lawless’ possession of a unique code and a key to the storage unit in question. Other supporting evidence comes from clear CCTV coverage showing Lawless handling boxes filled with drugs into the facility.
Higgins insisted there was sufficient evidence against the defendant, suggesting he was apprehended in the act with the key in his control and being the listed lessee.
In conclusion, defending lawyer Kevin McCrave clarified that Lawless was still innocent until proven guilty and warned that it could be a considerable time before the case came to trial. McCrave had been hired by solicitor Niall O’Connor on behalf of Lawless.
The British court was informed that Forensic Science Ireland, the entity performing drug assessments for the justice system, had already analysed a portion of the confiscated substances. An additional set of charges were a potential outcome from the case, according to a police officer, who also indicated that a report would be assembled for the Director of Public Prosecutions, hinting towards an elevation of the case.
With the arrested individual’s significant role in the meticulous operation, the officer stood firm that no bail conditions would alleviate her concerns, despite the value of the substances implying a swift process. Upon cross-examination, she admitted that two other individuals had been rightfully accused in relation to the offences.
The defence attorney pled for his client’s bail, arguing that his client had been a resident at his current location for 17 years, and was a father of four and a grandfather. His arrest had unnerved his family, dependent on the accused, the only earner in their home. He reassured that, if given bail, his client was willing to comply with multiple conditions, such as the surrender of his passport and phone, along with a domestic arrest.
Emphasising his client’s clear history, the attorney highlighted the absence of prior convictions, warrants, or notable interactions with the police. There were presumptions of innocence and bail, and a lack of proof to suggest that his client wouldn’t appear for trial or was part of an ongoing criminal activity. He informed the court that the accused had been employed by DHL but was now at risk of losing his employment.
While maintaining that the defendant was still seen as innocent, Judge Quirke emphasised the severity of the charges and acknowledged the police’s disapproval. His application for bail was denied and a hearing was scheduled at Cloverhill District Court on the following Tuesday in which the defendant was held in custody. Judge Quirke decided to postpone the approval of legal aid, in order for the police to scrutinize the defendant’s financial statement.
Two additional men were arrested and made an appearance in court the following Friday.