Retired garda superintendent charged over drug seizure

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

John Murphy, 61, was arrested last Wednesday following the discovery of 30kg of cannabis during search operations carried out by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Following his arrest he was detained at Irishtown Garda Station for questioning.

He was charged just after 8pm on Sunday night and appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday morning, where he was charged with possession of cannabis worth more than €13,000 at his home in north Dublin.

Detective Sergeant Hanley did not object to bail but told Bryan Judge Smyth that he was seeking several conditions, including that Mr Murphy not contact four people who cannot be named.

His solicitor also asked for Murphy’s address not to be read out for his client’s “personal security”.

His next court appearance will be through a video link on Friday.