Three in court over seizure of arms, heroin worth €8m

Two men and a woman have appeared in court in Dublin in connection with the weekend seizure of guns, ammunition and heroin valued at €8 million.

Armed detectives seized about 30 kilograms of heroin, five 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistols, a large quantity of ammunition and €14,000 in cash when they searched homes in Swords, Co Dublin, and Ratoath, Co Meath.

Today, Frank Nolan (28), who was arrested in Brookdale Road, Swords, on Saturday was charged at Whitehall Garda Station this afternoon with the possession with four Glocks and 1,200 rounds of ammunition. Det Garda John Fitzgerald told the court Mr Nolan had "nothing to say" in response to the charge.

Mr Nolan made no application for bail when he appeared in Bridewell District Court this afternoon. His counsel requested time to seek information in relation to a possible bail application and he was remanded to appear in Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday.

Alan Coffey (31) arrested at 35, The Lane, Fox Lodge Wood, Ratoath, Co Meath, was charged with the possession of heroin valued at €8 million for sale and supply, the possession of drugs for his own use and possession of ammunition.

Mr Coffey had nothing to say when charged at Blanchardstown Garda Station today.

Giving evidence of his arrest, Detective Garda Mark Philips told the court Mr Coffey "was caught red-handed". He objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge and said he did not believe Mr Coffey would appear in court if released on bail.

Judge Cormac Dunne remanded Mr Coffey in custody with consent to bail. Mr Coffey was ordered to submit his own bond of €25,000 and an independent cash surety of €125,000.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport and not to apply to the Department of Foreign Affairs for a replacement. He was told by the court to sign on at Ashbourne Garda station twice a day and remanded to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Caroline von Donergan (29) was arrested at the same address as Mr Coffey. Giving evidence of her arrest, Detective Garda Michael Doherty said the pregnant mother of two, a Dutch national who has been living in Ireland for seven years, was caught with two magazines of ammunition in her handbag. She had nothing to say when charged, the court heard.

Det Garda Doherty objected to bail on grounds that he believed Ms von Donergan would leave the country with her two children. She is understood to have family in Amsterdam.

Judge Dunne remanded Ms von Donergan in custody with consent to bail on payment of her bond of €15,000 and an independent cash surety of €75,000. She was remanded to appear at the Bridewell District court on July 7th next.