Man arrested in Limerick crime probe allegedly flushed cocaine down toilet in front of Gardaí

ONE of two brothers arrested as part of a Garda probe into organised crime and feuding in Limerick is accused of attempting to impede Garda investigations by allegedly picking up a large quantity of cocaine and flushing it down a toilet, in front of Gardaí, at a house in County Cork last Tuesday.

Dean O’Donoghue (26), with an address at Hyde Road in Limerick City, appeared before Limerick District Court earlier today (Thursday), charged with impeding or obstructing Detective Garda Michael Dunphy and Garda Darragh Conroy during the course of their investigations into illegal drugs activities at a house at Umeraboy West, Knocknagree, County Cork, contrary to Section 21 (4) and Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Charge sheets alleged that Mr O’Donoghue “picked up a large quantity of cocaine and ran with it towards the toilet and began flushing it down the toilet repeatedly after being directed to stop”.

Mr O’Donoghue was also charged with possession of cocaine and with possession of cocaine for sale or supply at the house last Tuesday (October 24).

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He made no reply to any of the charges and was remanded in custody to appear before Limerick District Court for a bail hearing tomorrow (Friday).

Gardaí alleged in court that Mr O’Donoghue’s brother, Aaron O’Donoghue (23), also of Hyde Road – who was charged with criminal damage and possession of a slash hook during a violent episode in Limerick last September –  is “a danger to the community” and the “main instigator” in an “ongoing feud on the south side of Limerick City”.

Objecting to bail, Garda Eoin Dillon claimed Aaron O’Donoghue was “actively involved” in a feud in the Hyde Road area and that he remained a “serious and active threat, including loss of life” to residents in the area.

Aaron O’Donoghue is charged with damaging the windscreen and side window of a car belonging to a woman at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, on September 17 last.

He is also charged that he damaged the woman’s car with a “long-handled slash hook which had a blade or which was sharply pointed” during the alleged attack on her car.

Aaron O’Donoghue made no to reply to any of the charges, the court heard.

Judge Patricia Harney refused Aaron O’Donoghue bail and remanded him in custody to Limerick Prison to appear before Limerick District Court via video link for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions next Tuesday (October 31).

The two accused siblings were granted free legal aid and assigned solicitor Sarah Ryan as their defence in the case.