Man with Offaly address accused of Laois drugs offence

A MAN with a Tullamore address has been accused of a drugs offence in Portlaoise.

Conor Nolan (25) of Kearney’s Drive, Tullamore is alleged to have had drugs for sale or supply at St Brigid’s Place, Portlaoise on March 2 last.

Mr Nolan appeared before Tullamore District Court by video link from Cloverhill Prison after being remanded in custody at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

The appearance at Portlaoise was before Judge Susan Fay and it followed a special court sitting where Judge Andrew Cody was presiding.

Mr Nolan was initially remanded in custody with consent to bail but when he appeared before Judge Fay there was a dispute over the bail order.

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The accused asked the court if he could get bail and his legal representative, David Nugent, BL, asked him if he had “a grand”, to which Mr Nolan said he did.

Judge Fay said the independent surety was €10,000 according to the “very precise” note made by Judge Cody who had put a comma “after the number 10”.

Judge Fay remanded Mr Nolan in custody to appear before Judge Cody by video link at the next sitting of Tullamore District Court.

At that sitting Judge Cody said the independent surety was €10,000.

Mr Nolan responded: “Ten grand is a bit much.”

Sergeant Richard Thornton said directions had not yet been received from the DPP.

Judge Cody remanded the accused in custody to April 1 next in Tullamore when he will again appear by video link.

“Sound, nice one,” remarked Mr Nolan.