During a police raid at a home in Dublin, officers uncovered a stash of drugs worth €305,000 hidden under a children’s pool and within a playroom. Clive McCowan, a 44-year-old unemployed individual from Millrace Park, Saggart, was subsequently charged with the illegal possession of cannabis, cocaine and heroin (diamorphine), as well as with the intention to sell or supply these substances. These charges were leveled against him on a Thursday evening and Mr McCowan was presented to Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court the following Saturday.
Though McCowan retained his right to remain silent when the charges were read, his attorney was granted legal aid on his behalf. McCowan, who is a married father, testified only to confirm his identity and his unemployment status. The presiding officer, Garda Sarah Flood, from the Dublin Crime Response Team, informed the court that McCowan had been found with 2.16kg of heroin, with a street value exceeding €300,000, around half a kilo of cannabis, worth €500, and cocaine worth around €1,500 at his dwelling.
Officer Flood further revealed that the drugs were discovered in unusual locations around McCowan’s property. Some narcotics were found concealed beneath a kids’ paddling pool in the garden and others were hidden inside a bag within a children’s playroom. An extensive search of McCowan’s mobile phone revealed evidence linking him to the purchase, distribution, and value speculation of these illegal substances. The judge, considering the severity of the charges and the compelling evidence presented by Officer Flood, remanded McCowan in custody. However, she consented to bail under certain conditions and subject to the approval of surety and lodgement of funds.
McCowan has not yet entered a plea and is scheduled to reappear in court on the Friday following his hearing.