Northern Ireland

West Belfast man facing drugs charges is refused bail

Laganside courthouse in Belfast
Laganside courthouse in Belfast Laganside courthouse in Belfast

POLICE seized cannabis, more than £250,000 in cash and a money counting machine from a house near Belfast, a court heard yesterday.

The haul was allegedly found last month at the home of 38-year-old Joseph Gerard Kearney, a judge was told.

Kearney, of Juniper Park in Dunmurry, faces charges of concealing and possessing criminal property, and having Class B Drugs with intent to supply.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard up to three kilos of suspected herbal cannabis, mobile phones and laptops were discovered during the raid on June 14.

"A large sum of cash, in excess of a quarter of a million pounds, was also located along with a money counting machine and other items," a detective said.

He claimed the phones contained slang references to possible drugs supply or importation, while CCTV evidence allegedly shows Kearney taking part in some sort of handover.

The defendant is believed to be involved "at a very high level" in the drugs trade, according to the police case.

Defence counsel Sean Devine disputed suggestions Kearney may try to flee describing him as a father-of-two whose family and roots are in Belfast.

Bail was refused, however and Kearney was remanded into custody to appear again by video-link in four weeks time.