A judge has refused bail to an Ennis man accused of the possession of €50,800 of cocaine with intent to supply from a property in Spancilhill outside Ennis last September.
At Ennis Circuit Court sitting in Limerick, Judge Brian O’Callaghan refused bail to Tony McInerney (25) of Glenina, Gort Rd, Ennis due to the seriousness of the charges against the accused.
Judge O’Callaghan’s decision follows Judge Durcan at Ennis District Court and the High Court refusing bail to Mr McInerney last year.
Counsel for the State, Lorcan Connolly BL told Judge O’Callaghan that the trajectory of the charges against Mr McInerney has increased since the man was refused bail in the High Court last October.
Mr McInerney and a co-accused, a gold medal winning Jiu Jitsu fighter and coach, Piotr Kisiel (40) are facing charges arising from a Garda search of Mr Kisiel’s then rented property on September 23rd last.
Mr Kisiel of Gort na Ri, Gort Rd, Ennis has secured bail in the High Court and in the case, Mr McInerney is facing a Section 15(a) Misuse of Drugs Act charge of possession of cocaine valued at over € 13,000 with intent to sale or supply at Kilfilum, Spancilhill outside Ennis on September 23rd.
If Mr McInerney is convicted of this offence he faces a mandatory minimum jail term of 10 years unless there are exceptional circumstances in his favour.
Mr Kisiel is also facing a similar Section 15 (a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act charge along with five other charges.
Mr McInerney is also facing charges concerning the alleged possession of a cocaine press; the possession of a mixing agent for drugs, benzocaine, and possession of an iPhone that contained a list of persons who owe money for drugs otherwise known as a ‘tick-list’ at the Spancilhill property on September 23rd last.
Mr McInerney – who appeared in court via video link from prison where he is on remand – also faces a charge of the possession of €4,250 which the State allege is the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Mr Connolly stated: “There has been no undue delay in the case. The case will be prioritised because there are very few in custody on the County Clare list and he will be afforded priority at the next sessions and one would hope that the case would proceed.”
Counsel for Mr McInerney, Patrick Whyms BL stated that his client is willing to abide by any bail conditions, including curfews and daily signing on at a Garda station.
Mr Whyms stated that with the Covid-19 impact on cases, “we don’t when it is going to get a trial date – it is hard- and Mr McInerney’s co-accused has been treated differently”.
Judge O’Callaghan stated that he was refusing bail due to the seriousness of the charge and that the Garda objections to bail are well made.
Judge O’Callaghan stated that there are only two other accused persons on the Clare list in custody and Mr McInerney will be number three in the priority list for trials to be heard.
Judge O’Callaghan further remanded Mr O’Callaghan in custody to Ennis Circuit Court to April 19th.
