25 appear before Cork court on heroin charges

Sixteen men and nine women have appeared before Cork District Court charged in connection with Operation Emerson, which targeted individuals supplying heroin in Cork city.

All of the applicants were granted free legal aid, as the majority are in receipt of social welfare allowances.

One of the accused was without a fixed abode and is currently based at a hostel in the city.

The majority of the accused were held after being found with small amounts of diamorphine, with the smallest amount valued at just €6.

However, one woman was arrested and found to be in possession of heroin with a street value of close to €1,000.

Judge Olann Kelleher directed that the majority of the accused be remanded on bail to appear before Cork District Court again on July 8th.

A small number of the accused will appear before the court again on September 9th next.

DPP directions

DPP directions are being awaited in the cases.

Operation Emerson involved large amounts of “covert and overt” surveillance of street, mid-level and high-level heroin dealers.