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Four in court in Bandon after ‘cocaine lab' is found in Bantry

December 4th, 2017 7:10 AM

By Southern Star Team

Molly Sloyan (25) covers her face as she enters court in Bandon on Wednesday. (Photo: Denis Boyle)

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A judge in Bandon has remanded four people in custody after they were charged in relation to a drugs seizure at a house in Dromleigh, Bantry.

A JUDGE in Bandon has remanded four people in custody after they were charged in relation to a drugs seizure at a house in Dromleigh, Bantry.

The court heard the operation may be part of an ‘illicit international’ drugs network.

Dean Gilsenan (27) of 2 Kilmahuddrick Green, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, with his father William Gilsenan (51) of the same address, appeared in court along with Sean McManus (36) of 32 Burrowfield Road, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 and Molly Sloyan (25) of 4B Buenos Aires, Benidorm, Alicante, Spain, on Wednesday, when all four were charged with drug possession and intent to supply, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Det Gda Shannon Ryan told the court that Molly Sloyan  ‘organised the flights and transport’ for the co-accused and organised houses in Kinsale and Bantry for them. She  ordered in isopropanol, which is used for the extraction of cocaine, said Det Gda Ryan.

‘She has a current Spanish address, but no Irish address,’ he said.

Solicitor Pat Horan said Ms Sloyan would abide by any curfews. She has a temporary address at the Simon Community in Cork city.

Taking the stand, Molly Sloyan said her mother, who lives in Kinsale, has been ‘terrified’ since the accused was arrested, and she said she has never been in court before.

‘I won’t apply for any travel documents and I will sign on at the local garda station twice a day,’ said Ms Sloyan.

Insp Murphy said gardaí rang her mother who told them she wants nothing to do with her, and the Insp said having an address at the Simon Community was not acceptable.

‘Do you accept you were highly involved in the operation in organising the houses in Bantry and Kinsale and ordering in isopropanol?’ he asked.

‘I do accept it, but I’ve never had any involvement in selling drugs,’ she replied.

Insp Murphy said that at the risk of repeating himself, this was ‘organised crime’ and that she had a high involvement in it and organised a lot of it. He also pointed out that she does not have access to a home address and that she wasn’t guaranteed a bed in Simon.

Judge Dorgan refused bail for the defendant due to the seriousness of the charges and the fact she was caught ‘red handed’ and remanded her in custody to appear at Clonakilty District Court on December 5th.

Det Gda Andrew Manning of Bandon Garda Station said he was objecting to bail for Dean Gilsenan and gave details of the defendant’s arrest at  ‘Seascape’, Dromleigh, in Bantry on Sunday, November 26th. 

He told the court that members of the West Cork Divisional Drugs Unit and Cork City Drugs Unit had obtained a search warrant for the house and found a cocaine extraction laboratory there. A 1kg of bleached cocaine estimated to be worth almost €70,000 was found at the house.

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