Ireland

Retired Garda superintendent charged in connection with a €600,000 cannabis seizure

John Murphy (61) `made no reply after caution' when he was arrested last Wednesday
John Murphy (61) `made no reply after caution' when he was arrested last Wednesday John Murphy (61) `made no reply after caution' when he was arrested last Wednesday

A RETIRED Garda superintendent has been charged in connection with a €600,000 cannabis seizure in Dublin.

John Murphy (61) "made no reply after caution" when he was arrested last Wednesday and detained at Irishtown Garda Station for questioning.

Raids by Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation officers recovered 30kg of cannabis herb on September 29.

Mr Murphy was charged shortly after 8pm on Sunday and appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday morning.

He was charged with possession of cannabis worth more than €13,000 at his home in a north Dublin suburb.

The court ordered that the Garda not read out Mr Murphy's address on request from his solicitor, who cited his client's personal security.

The offence can carry a 10-year sentence.

The retired officer has not yet indicated how he will plead.

Judge Bryan Smyth remanded him in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €500 with a €20,000 independent surety.

He will appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link on Friday.