Man charged with major drugs seizure in Mayo is released on bail

A Mayo man in his forties has appeared in court after gardaí discovered cannabis with a combined value of more than €360,000 at two properties in Castlebar.

Mark Conaty, Riverdale Court, Castlebar, appeared before the local district court on Wednesday charged with four offences arising from the discoveries earlier in the week.

Detective Garda Eoin McFadden told Judge Vincent Deane that he arrested Conaty at 1.47pm on May 20 and charged him with two counts of possession of cannabis for sale or supply under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and two counts of possession under Section 3, relating to finds at two separate locations at Rush Street on May 18 and May 19.

On May 18, gardaí found 18kg of cannabis, subject to analysis, at a property on Rush Street, with an estimated street value of €360,000.

A follow-up search the next day at a separate Rush Street address led to the discovery of more cannabis with a street value of €4,400.

Conaty made no reply after caution in respect of each of the four charges.

The defendant was initially remanded in custody but was granted bail on Friday by Judge Vincent Deane after an independent surety of €5,000 was approved. The case was adjourned to July 1 pending instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Deane also granted legal aid after hearing that the defendant is in receipt of disability allowance.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.