Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2024Possession of controlled drugs (cocaine) and possession of drugs for sale and supply · Co. Kilkenny · 18 Mar 2025

Businessman Michael Murphy remanded in custody over €10.6m cocaine seizure on M9, Kilkenny

152 kilograms of cocaine valued at €10.6 million was seized from a hidden compartment in a heavy goods vehicle intercepted on the M9 in County Kilkenny on 18 March 2025 as part of Operation TARA. Michael Murphy, a 61-year-old businessman (described as 60 in Garda statements), was arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and charged with possession of controlled drugs and possession of drugs for sale and supply. He appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a special sitting of Gorey District Court on 23 March 2025, where bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear before Waterford District Court. The operation was carried out by the GNDOCB and Waterford Drug and Crime Units, and Gardaí suspect the cocaine originated in South America.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested18 Mar
    3 reports
  3. Charged18 Mar
  4. In court23 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • 152 kilograms of cocaine valued at €10.6 million was seized from a hidden compartment in a heavy goods vehicle.
  • The truck had been modified with a hydraulically and electronically controlled hidden compartment of very high quality.
Where
The truck was intercepted on the M9 in County Kilkenny, and searches were carried out at two business premises and a residential address in Waterford.
When
The operations took place on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, shortly after 10am.
Cause
Gardaí suspect the cocaine originated in South America, and poor weather derailed an attempted smuggling plan involving fast boats from a mother ship.
Investigation
  • The operation was part of Operation TARA, carried out by the GNDOCB and Waterford Drug and Crime Units, supported by Revenue Customs Service, the Garda Dog Unit and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit.
  • The suspect was a target of the DOCB for some time, and the gang was targeted when the Ghost encrypted messaging platform was infiltrated.
Charges
A man, described as aged 60 in Garda statements and 61 in court reporting, was arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and charged under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In court
Michael Murphy appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a special sitting of Gorey District Court on 23 March 2025, where bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear before Waterford District Court.
Other details
  • The accused stated he was aware of drugs being contained in the vehicle, and the judge granted an application that his address not be published.
  • The man has legitimate business interests including in the logistics sector and was also suspected of involvement in an attempted smuggling operation on the south-west coast.
57 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe cocaine seized was worth €10.6 million (garda.ie)
  • whatThe man involved is 60 years old (garda.ie)
  • whatThe operation was part of Operation TARA and ongoing investigations into organised crime. (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí from the GNDOCB and Waterford Drug and Crime Units carried out the operations. (garda.ie)
  • what152 kilograms of cocaine valued at €10.6 million was found in a sophisticated vehicle concealment. (garda.ie)
  • what152 kilograms of cocaine valued at €10.6 million was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCocaine valued at more than €10 million was seized (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe truck had been modified to create a hidden compartment (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe hidden compartment was of very high quality and required the vehicle to be brought to Dublin Port for X-ray (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe compartment included a hydraulically and electronically controlled system to open and close (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAn estimated 152 kilograms of cocaine valued at €10.6 million was seized (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIn the attempted operation, a large quantity of drugs was to be landed via modified fast boats with stealth capacity from a mother ship (irishtimes.com)
  • what152 kilograms of cocaine were seized from a hidden compartment in a truck. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe cocaine was valued at more than €10 million. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe truck had been modified to create a hidden compartment with a hydraulic system electronically controlled to open and close. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe compartment included a hydraulic system electronically controlled to open and close. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA heavy goods vehicle was intercepted on the M9 in County Kilkenny shortly after 10am. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereSearches were carried out at two business premises and a residential address in Waterford. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe cocaine was found in a sophisticated vehicle concealment (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe truck was stopped by gardaí on the M9 in Co Kilkenny on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
  • whereTwo business premises and a residential address in Co Waterford were searched (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe truck was stopped by Gardaí on the M9 in Co Kilkenny. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe court appearance is scheduled for 6:45pm on Sunday 23 March 2025 (garda.ie)
  • whenThe operations took place on Tuesday, 18 March 2025. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe truck was stopped on Tuesday, 18 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí suspect the cocaine originated in South America (irishtimes.com)
  • causePoor weather derailed the attempted smuggling plan (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe seizure was made by the GNDOCB under Operation Tara (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe man is detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was supported by Revenue Customs Service, the Garda Dog Unit and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit. (garda.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationRevenue Customs Service, the Garda Dog Unit and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit supported the operations (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operations were part of Operation TARA and ongoing investigations into organised crime (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe seizure resulted from a surveillance operation on a drugs distribution hub (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe suspect has been a target of the DOCB for some time (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe gang was targeted when the Australian-run Ghost encrypted messaging platform was infiltrated (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí from DOCB and Waterford Drug and Crime Units carried out the operation on Tuesday morning (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe suspect was being detained on Wednesday at a Garda station in the Eastern region (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe operation was carried out by DOCS and Waterford Drug and Crime Units. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationTwo business premises and a residential address in Co Waterford were searched during the operation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was supported by Revenue Customs Service and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationSurveillance equipment was confiscated during the operation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man has been charged in connection with the investigation (garda.ie)
  • chargeA 60-year-old man was arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for facilitating and enhancing drug distribution activities for an organised crime group. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe man was arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for facilitating and enhancing drug distribution activities for an organised crime group (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe suspect was arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for facilitating and enhancing drug distribution activities for an organised crime group (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused faced two charges under Section 3 and Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe is expected to appear before a special sitting of Gorey District Court (garda.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at Gorey District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Staunton refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear before Waterford District Court on Tuesday next. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted an application that the defendant's address not be published. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAssistant Commissioner Angela Willis is in charge of Organised & Serious Crime. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe arrested man has legitimate business interests including in the logistics sector (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe suspect was also suspected of involvement in a recent attempted smuggling operation on the south-west coast (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA large group of suspects from Ireland, continental Europe and the Middle East was involved in the attempted operation (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused stated he was aware of drugs being contained in the vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused is described as a well-travelled man in Europe. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Mar2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Business man, 61, appears in court in connection with €10.6m cocaine seizure

    First court appearance; bail refused; remanded to Waterford District Court; address not to be published.

    accused, Michael Murphy, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murphy
  2. 19 Mar2025
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Dublin drugs gang linked to €10.6m cocaine shipment concealed in truck

    Provides operational detail on the seizure including the hydraulic hidden compartment, links the suspect to 'The Family' Dublin drugs gang and cross-Border crime, describes a separate attempted south-west coast smuggling operation, and notes the suspect's detention under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

    suspect, 60s, male
  3. 19 Mar2025
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí seize €10.6m in cocaine in major operation targeting organised crime

    Initial Garda press release announcing the arrest and providing operational details of the seizure, including the units involved and the legal basis for the arrest.

    suspect, 60, male
  4. 18 Mar2025
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Operation Tara: GNDOCB Seizes Cocaine worth €10.6 Million in Southeast - 18th March 2025

    Garda press release confirming details of the Operation TARA seizure, including the arrest of a 60-year-old man under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the involvement of Revenue Customs Service, the Garda Dog Unit and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit.

    suspect, 60, male
  5. 18 Mar2025
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Update (Court Appearance) - Operation Tara: GNDOCB Seizes Cocaine worth €10.6 Million in Southeast - 18th March 2025

    Confirms the man has been charged and is expected to appear before Gorey District Court at 6:45pm on 23 March 2025.

    accused, 60, male