FOUR more serious drugs charges have been brought against a mother and daughter accused of possessing €1.28million worth of cannabis at Shannon Airport two days before Christmas Day.
Dovil Reifonaite (41) and Migle Kurieniute (21), both with an address at Newlands, Mullingar, County Westmeath, are charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply on December 23, 2024, at Shannon Airport. The charges are contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
On conviction, an offence under Section 15A carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, but a judge has the discretion to impose a lesser sentence in certain circumstances.
Appearing at Ennis District Court, along with the new 15A charges, the two were also facing charges of importing cannabis at Shannon Airport on December 23.
The mother and daughter had been on remand in custody since a Christmas Eve sitting at Limerick District Court after bail was refused.
The two, represented by Reginald Garrett BL, eventually secured High Court bail on March 10.
Each was initially charged with one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply, as well as one count of possession of cannabis.
Dovil Reifonaite, who has no English, required an interpreter in the court.
At the Christmas Eve court sitting, Gardaí told the bail hearing that, at 11.16am on December 23 last, the two accused disembarked from a flight at Shannon Airport from Boston.
Gardaí alleged that officers attached to Revenue discovered 64kg of vacuum-packed packages of cannabis with a street value of €1.28m in four suitcases belonging to the two accused.
Solicitor for the two at the time, John Casey, told the Christmas Eve court sitting that Ms Reifonaite and Ms Kurieniute had lived in Mullingar for the past eight years and that they would abide by any bail conditions.
“Ms Kurieniute has been here since she was 12. They have set up home here, and, if granted bail, they will sign on daily or even twice daily at a Garda station, this is where their life is,” said Mr Casey.
Judge Gabbett further remanded the two on continuing High Court bail to re-appear before Ennis District Court on May 28 for the serving of a Book of Evidence.
