Gardaí attend Tullamore hospital over suspected heroin ingestion during drugs search

A sitting of Portlaoise District Court heard two gardaí had to attend hospital over fears they had inadvertently ingested a large quantity of heroin during a drugs search. 

John Egan, 43, with an address at Bog Road, Portarlington, Offaly appeared before the court on charges of assault and possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at his address on April 26, 2024. He is further charged with possession of cannabis at the address on the same date. 

Detective Garda Ger Doolan gave details of a garda search at the defendant’s caravan as he objected to a bail application by the accused at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Det Doolan told Judge Nicola Andrews that the DPP had not yet given directions in the case.

He said when gardaí entered the defendant’s caravan on foot of a search warrant the defendant allegedly “ripped open two large bags of brown powder” and swung a punch at one garda while attempting to put a second garda in a headlock. 

Det Doolan said gardai recovered five grams of suspected heroin, 28 grams of suspected cocaine and a further 20 grams of a substance believed to be cannabis resin. He estimated that the drugs were worth €2,780 subject to analysis. 

Judge Andrews noted it is “alleged he discarded a large portion” during the search. 

Det Doolan said the drugs which were suspected to have been in the bags was not included in the seizure. 

“He discarded a large quantity of suspected diamorphine(heroin) as gardaí approached him,” said Det Doolan. 

He said the ripped bags were each “about the size of a tennis ball” and two weighing scales were also recovered along with a phone. 

He said two gardaí attended at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore following the search “due to the belief that they may have ingested large quantities of diamorphine.” 

He said the gardaí were unable to question the defendant after the seizure due to his aggressive behaviour. 

Det Doolan said the defendant was well known to gardaí as a heroin user. He said he lived beside a wooded area in a caravan. 

David Nugent BL noted the evidence of brown powder in the atmosphere during the search and he asked if the two gardaí were still in hospital. 

Det Doolan told Mr Nugent that they were not but that they had suspected the powder in the two bags was heroin.

Mr Nugent asked whether there were any bail conditions which might allay Det Doolan’s concerns about the defendant. 

“It is my belief that he is involved in the sale and supply of drugs,” said Det Doolan. 

Mr Nugent said the defendant had the presumption of innocence. He asked the court to grant him bail and said the analysis of the seized substances could take a long time. 

Judge Andrews noted that there were “quite serious” charges before the court. 

“I am concerned about the manner in which he behaved,” she said. 

However, she agreed to set bail on his own bond of €1,000 with an independent surety of €1,000, of which €500 was to be lodged in cash. The bail was subject to a number of conditions including a curfew between 9pm and 7am, that he provide a phone number to gardaí where he can be reached 24/7 and that he remain of good behaviour, remain sober and not take any illegal substances. 

Judge Andrews said she couldn’t order a psychiatric assessment but she asked that the defendant receive medical assistance in custody. She remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail to appear again before Portlaoise District Court by video link on May 7, 2024.