€130k growhouse uncovered during weekend raid was one of four search operations to take place in Granard District
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A number of successful searches and operations were carried out in the Granard district over the weekend, with one search uncovering a ‘sophisticated cannabis growhouse’ in Aughnacliffe.
Gardaí seized approximately €130,000 of suspected cannabis during the search of the residence in on Saturday afternoon and made one arrest.
Speaking to the Longford Leader this week, Superintendent Seamus Boyle of the Granard District explained that the raid was a “joint operation” between gardaí, the Divisional Drugs Unit and Detective Inspector John Costello.
Book of evidence served on Longford school robbery accused
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The Book of Evidence was served last Tuesday on a man accused of armed robbery at a Longford town school in August 2020.
James Cranny, 14 Meadow Crest, Boyle, Co Roscommon, was due to face Circuit Court Judge Keenan Johnson last Tuesday but, due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the vast majority of Circuit Court hearings have been pushed out to February.
Mr Cranny is facing six charges, including attempted robbery of the primary school, the attempted robbery of three people at the school, the production of a screwdriver as a weapon,robbery of €100 cash from one person and €135 cash from another.
Longford s retiring Detective Garda Joe Esler was ‘better than any of the TV detectives’
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Detective Garda Joe Esler served Longford with the utmost professionalism. That was the sentiment expressed by all at Longford District Court last week when the retiring Detective called in to say goodbye.
Judge Seamus Hughes noted the fact that Detective Esler was “very young” to retire but wished him well, stating that he was always very professional and very easy to work with during his 30-plus years serving on the force.
“I always respected you and your views and I wish you the very best with your retirement,” he said.
Longford hearing dates adjourned due to Covid-19
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Longford District Court hearings listed for January are to be adjourned to March due to current Covid-19 restrictions. The move comes as court services endeavour to reduce the number of people appearing in the courtroom.
However, a select number of hearings will be fixed at Longford District Court under prior agreement between the prosecution and the defence in an effort to reduce pressure on the court in March.
“What will happen is, instead of two hearings a day, I’ll have four, and everyone will get very tetchy,” Judge Hughes noted.
Longford man fined €500 for drugs possession with intent to sell
Judge Hughes: ‘Selling drugs at a GAA festival is like selling turnips - there’s no demand’
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A man has been handed two fines of €250 each for two charges of section 15 possession of drugs with intention to sell following last week’s sitting of Longford District Court.
Darren Mears, 1 Richmond Street, Longford, arrived at court with an offer of money for the court poor box but Judge Seamus Hughes was not willing to accept, stating that the court poor box was reserved for the lesser section three possession of drugs charge.