Man on bail over cocaine seizures in Bandon and Ballinhassig

A 38-year-old Hungarian man living in West Cork has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with the seizure of almost €100,000 worth of drugs by gardai from Bandon.

Sandor Banati was charged at a special sitting of Bandon District Court yesterday with four offences following the seizure of €94,000 worth of cocaine by members of the West Cork Divisional Drugs Unit.

Mr Banati was charged with possession and possession for sale or supply of cocaine at Ballynagrumoola, Ballinhassig on March 7th.

Mr Banati was also charged with possession and possession for sale or supply of cocaine at his home at Glasslyn, Bandon, on the same date.

Det Garda Shannon Ryan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told Judge John King at the special sitting on Saturday that Mr Banati made no reply to any of the four charges when they were put to him.

Insp Pat Meany said that gardai had no objection to bail once Mr Banati was able to provide an independent surety of €5,000 and abide by a number of bail conditions.

Mr Banati’s barrister, Emmet Boyle BL, said that his client had secured an independent surety and he was willing to abide by the various bail terms being sought by gardai.

Judge King made it a condition of Mr Banati’s bail that he would reside at his home address and that he would sign on three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at Bandon Garda Station.

He also made it a condition of his bail that he would surrender his passport and not apply for any travel documents and provide gardai with a mobile phone number.

Upon hearing that these terms were acceptable to Mr Banati, Judge King remanded him on bail on an independent surety of €5,000 to appear again at Bandon District Court on March 15th.

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