A man arrested in connection with a €2.2million drugs haul allegedly told gardai he would skip the country if he was released on bail, a court has heard.
Declan Muddiman’s application was refused after a detective gave evidence at Blanchardstown District Court.
Garda Eoin O’Flaherty said Muddiman indicated he would flee the country if he was freed.
The court heard Muddiman, of Woodford Close, Clondalkin, Dublin, was spotted coming and going to the lock-up in Kingswood area of the capital where the drugs were found.
The charges against the accused are that on July 16 at Sealshouse, Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin he was in possession of MDMA and cannabis for sale or supply.
Gda O’Flaherty said because of the amount of drugs involved and the evidence obtained he was objecting to bail as he felt the accused was a flight risk who admitted as much during an interview.
The officer added: “He has stated to us that if he gets bail he will disappear.”
He said there were more charges pending and added that on conviction the accused could face a 10 to 14-year sentence.
Gda O’Flaherty said there was a lot of CCTV evidence and the accused was seen going to and from the lock-up where the drugs were stored.
He told Judge Gerard Jones the amount of drugs involved was worth at least €2.2million and possibly “substantially more”. Dressed in a black top and wearing a surgical face mask, the 28-year-old did not speak but gestured to his brother at the back of the court.
His right arm was heavily bandaged from his fingertips to his elbow.
Defence solicitor Liam Cadogan said Muddiman’s elder brother was in court and was willing to post a surety of €10,000 if his sibling was released on bail.
But the judge remanded Muddiman in custody and he is due to appear via video link in the same court next Friday.
