A prison officer has appeared in court accused of possessing cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at Mountjoy jail.
He was arrested at the prison at about 8.30 am yesterday and held at Mountjoy Garda station under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act until he was brought to court today.
Jarlath Walsh (39) from north Dublin, who worked at the prison, was charged with four offences, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.
He faces two counts of unlawful possession of cocaine and cannabis and two, more serious, charges for possessing cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply to another at Mountjoy Prison on December 20th.
Det Gda Fergal O’Flaherty told Judge Aingeal Ní Chondúin at the Dublin District Court the defendant was arrested at the prison at 8.27am.
He was released from the provisions of Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act and later charged.
Det Gda O’Flaherty said Mr Walsh, who was wearing a grey sweater and blue jeans, made “no reply” when charged.
He said that the DPP had directed that the charges should be brought against Mr Walsh but added “it is envisaged that there will be further charges.”
There was no objection to bail providing conditions were imposed.
The accused has already surrendered his passport and Det Gda O’Flaherty asked for a condition of bail to be imposed stating that he must not apply for any travel documents.
He also requested that the defendant would not “make any contact any prison staff in Mountjoy except through the governor’s office".
Judge Ní Chondúin agreed to grant bail on those terms and also ordered him to sign on at his local Garda station every Monday from 9am to 9pm, reside at his current address and notify gardaí of any change of residency.
She set bail in Mr Walsh’s own bond of €1,000 with an independent surety of €5,000.
The court approved the defendant’s father James Walsh to act as the surety. He told defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury that he understood that he would lose that sum if his son did not attend his court case or did not comply with the bail terms.
Judge Ní Chondúin ordered that the defendant’s address would not be published by the news media and called for “sensitive reporting” of the case. She remanded the accused, who remained silent during his brief court appearance, on bail to appear again on February 15th next.
The value of the drugs allegedly seized was not stated.