TWO Limerick brothers were charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply after they allegedly offloaded the drugs to a man who stashed them in his underwear as they were being followed by Gardaí.
Garda Stephen McEntegart and Garda Mike O’Grady, both attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit at Henry Street Garda Station, gave evidence in court of charging Aaron O’Donoghue (25) and his brother Thomas O’Donoghue (20), both natives of Hyde Road, Prospect, in Limerick City.
Gardaí arrested the two brothers last Monday night, Limerick District Court heard on Tuesday this week.
Aaron O’Donoghue faces one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply, as well as one count of simple possession of cannabis, on July 6, 2025.
Thomas O’Donoghue faces one count of possessing cocaine for sale or supply, as well as one count of simple possession of cocaine, on July 6, 2025.
During a joint hearing for the two accused siblings, Garda McEntegart objected to bail “on the belief” that both accused siblings would each “continue to commit further serious crimes” and “fail to meet that bail”.
Garda McEntegart told the court that Gardaí traveling in an unmarked patrol car stopped a taxi carrying four males, including the two accused, which travelled from a property used by the O’Donoghue brothers at Meelick, County Clare, proceeding along the Knockalisheen Road, and onto Hennessy Avenue, Kileely, Limerick, at 7.30pm on July 6.
He said Gardaí searched the taxi and found €2,500 worth of cannabis at the feet of a male passenger, plus a further €3,850 worth of cocaine stashed in the man’s underwear.
On August 27 last, Gardaí obtained a warrant and seized video and audio feed from the taxi which, Garda McEntegart alleged, showed the two accused brothers on CCTV footage from both the interior and exterior of the vehicle on the evening in question.
Garda McEntegart said the footage showed the taxi “parked in the driveway of Sandy Acre, Meelick, a property used by the O’Donoghues”.
“All four males stopped in this taxi are seen exiting the backyard of Sandy Acre, Meelick, and getting into the taxi.
“Thomas O’Donoghue is clearly visible holding the bag of cocaine and observing the unmarked patrol vehicle behind him. He handed this suspected cocaine to (the other passenger), who conceals it in his underwear.
“Aaron O’Donoghue then takes out a package from his jacket containing the cannabis which he throws at (another passenger), who throws it back at Aaron O’Donoghue, who throws it back at (this man) and lands at his feet before the vehicle is subsequently stopped by Gardaí.”
Garda McEntegart said it was “my belief is that if granted bail the applicants will continue to further similar serious offences, including the distribution of large amounts of drugs in Limerick City and beyond”.
He said the brothers’ release “would not be in the best interests of the public at large, given the nature and seriousness of the offences alleged against them”.
Garda McEntegart said the two accused men replied “no comment” when interviewed by Gardaí about the offences alleged against them.
Judge Carrol Anne Coolican said both accused were “entitled to the presumption of innocence”.
The judge refused Aaron O’Donoghue bail and granted Thomas O’Donoghue bail.
Thomas O’Donoghue agreed to a number of bail conditions, including that he stay away from Sandy Acre, Meelick, County Clare; sign on daily at a local Garda station; reside at his current address at Kickham Avenue, Prospect; obey a nightly curfew; and be available to Gardaí 24/7 on a charged and in-credit mobile phone.
Judge Coolican remanded the brothers to appear before Limerick District Court again on September 16 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
