Case No. 0759Directing a criminal organisation, importation of controlled drugs, possession of controlled drugs, money laundering · Co. Wexford · 7 Aug 2024
Brian Grendon and two co-accused ordered to stand trial at Special Criminal Court for drug importation and criminal organisation charges
Brian Grendon, 48, a man of Clondalkin, Dublin, and two co-accused, Noel Smyth, 63, of Gorey, Co Wexford, and Paul Kelly, 55, of Ballyfermot, Dublin, were ordered to stand trial before the Special Criminal Court on charges of directing a criminal organisation, importing cocaine at Rosslare Europort in August and September 2024, and money laundering. Grendon faces 12 offences, while Smyth and Kelly are charged with contributing to the criminal organisation's activities and possessing cocaine. The three were sent forward from the District Court in May 2026, and on 22 June 2026, Judge Caroline Biggs, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon, granted the State's ex parte application for a non-jury trial. The matter was adjourned to 29 June 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court22 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Grendon, 48, of Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, is accused of directing a criminal organisation and importing cocaine.
- Smyth, 63, of Kilanerin, Gorey, Co Wexford, and Kelly, 55, of Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, are charged with contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation.
- Where
- The importation and possession charges relate to Rosslare Europort, Ballygillane Little, Co Wexford.
- When
- The offences are alleged to have occurred between August 1 and September 17, 2024.
- Charges
- Grendon faces 12 offences including three counts of importing cocaine, three counts of possession, three counts of having cocaine for sale or supply, and two counts of money laundering involving cash valued at €230,000.
- Smyth is charged with two counts of importing cocaine and possessing cocaine for sale or supply at Rosslare Europort.
- Kelly is charged with possessing cocaine worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at Rosslare Europort.
- Smyth and Kelly are charged with possessing, handling or converting property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, involving cash to the value of €22,220 on September 16, 2024.
- In court
- The three were sent forward from the District Court in May 2026.
- On 22 June 2026, Judge Caroline Biggs, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon, granted the State's ex parte application and ordered the three to be tried before the Special Criminal Court.
- The matter was adjourned to 29 June 2026.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGrendon is 48 years old and lives at Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe cash involved in the money laundering charges was valued at €230,000 and €22,220 (irishtimes.com)
- whatNoel Smyth, 63, is from Kilanerin, Gorey, Co Wexford (irishtimes.com)
- whatPaul Kelly, 55, is from Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe cocaine importation charges relate to dates in August and September 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGrendon is accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation and importing drugs (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGrendon is charged with 12 offences including importation and distribution of controlled drugs and money laundering in 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGrendon faces three charges of importing cocaine at Rosslare Europort, Ballygillane Little, Co Wexford (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGrendon is charged with three counts of possession of cocaine and three counts of having cocaine for sale or supply (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGrendon is charged with two counts of possessing, handling or converting property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSmyth and Kelly are charged with contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation between August 1st and September 17th, 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSmyth and Kelly are charged with possessing cocaine and having it for sale or supply at Rosslare Europort (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKelly is charged with having cocaine worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at Rosslare Europort (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSmyth is charged with two counts of importing cocaine at Rosslare Europort (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSmyth and Kelly are charged with possessing, handling or converting property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct – cash to the value of €22,220 on September 16th, 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Caroline Biggs, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon, ordered the three accused to be tried before the Special Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to June 29th (irishtimes.com)
- courtAn ex parte application was made by the State for the three to be tried before the Special Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jun2026Man accused of directing criminal gang activities faces Special Criminal Court trial
Reports the pre-trial hearing where Judge Caroline Biggs, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon, ordered the three accused to be tried before the Special Criminal Court, adjourning the matter to 29 June 2026.
accused, Brian Grendon, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Grendonaccused, Noel Smyth, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Smythaccused, Paul Kelly, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Kelly