Retired garda superintendent charged over drugs seizure at his home

A retired garda superintendent has been charged over a cannabis seizure at his home in Dublin last week.

John Murphy (61) was charged with possessing cannabis worth more than €13,000 on September 29th. The offence is contrary to section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He was charged on Sunday at 8.07 pm and held overnight pending his appearance before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court on Monday.

Detective Sergeant Brian Hanley from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) told the court the defendant "made no reply after caution" and he was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

The detective sergeant did not object to bail but told Judge Smyth he was seeking several conditions.

He had already discussed it with Mr Murphy's solicitor Robert Purcell, he said.

The court ordered the garda not to read out Mr Murphy’s address following a request from Mr Purcell, who cited his client’s personal security.

His client, who has not yet indicated how he will plead, cannot contact four people who cannot be named either for the same reason.

Judge Smyth noted gardaí seized Mr Murphy’s passport.

He set bail in Mr Murphy’s own bond of €500 with a €20,000 independent surety.

The accused must notify gardaí about approving a surety, Judge Smyth ordered.

Mr Murphy must reside at the address provided, sign on daily at a garda station, and not apply for a duplicate passport.

The judge ordered him to provide gardaí with a contact phone number within 24 hours of release.

Furthermore, he warned him he must not contact the four unnamed individuals.

Judge Smyth remanded him in custody with consent to bail on these terms to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link on Friday.

Dressed in a black zipped jacket, dark trousers and wearing a blue facemask, the former senior garda did not address the court.