Collopy brothers withdraw High Court bail applications

Two Limerick brothers charged over the seizure of €50,000 worth of heroin during a garda raid in December have withdrawn High Court applications for bail.

Brian Collopy (43) and his younger brother Kieran Collopy (40), were both refused bail by a District Court Judge on December 19th last after the court was told gardaí feared they might leave the jurisdiction.

Both men were charged with possession of heroin at St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick on December 15th last. They were also charged with possession of heroin with intent for sale or supply.

Outlining the State’s objection to bail, Det Garda David McGrath told the court Brian Collopy, of Kilonan, Ballysimon, left the country 11 times in 2015. Gardaí believed he is a “genuine flight risk”, the court heard.

The 43- year-old, who is in receipt of a disability payment, made nine trips to Alicante in Spain and visited the UK twice, the court heard.

Kieran Collopy, of St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, was in Spain four times in 2015 and made one trip to Prague.

Both men appeared before Limerick District Court on Tuesday having been brought from custody in Portlaoise Prison.

Judge Marian O’Leary was told that the solicitor for the brothers, John Herbert, would be furnishing the court and the State with a statement of means in both cases.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear before the court again on January 19th via video link after consenting to a two week adjournment. Both men are seeking free legal aid.