Ireland Case No. 8054Possession of cannabis for supply · Co. Clare · 7 May 2025
Cannabis supply case adjourned pending High Court challenge in Clare
On 7 May 2025, Gardaí seized an estimated 502kg of cannabis with a street value of over €10 million at the home of Brendan O'Mara, a former Ryanair pilot aged 62 or 63, at An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. He was charged with possessing cannabis for sale or supply and possessing cannabis, and a further charge under Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 was added in November 2025. After spending nearly three months in custody, O'Mara was granted bail at the Court of Appeal at the end of July 2025. The case was adjourned at Ennis District Court in September 2026 pending a ruling in his High Court challenge, in which the defence argues the seized substance is hemp with low THC and constitutes agricultural goods.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged5 Nov
- In court16 Jun
7 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí seized an estimated 502kg of cannabis with a street value of over €10 million.
- Where
- The seizure took place at An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, the accused's South Clare home.
- When
- The seizure took place on 7 May 2025.
- Charges
- O'Mara is charged with possessing cannabis for sale or supply and possessing cannabis on 7 May 2025, and a further charge under Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 alleging a market value of €13,000 or more was added in November 2025.
- In court
- He was first charged at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May 2025 and refused bail.
- He was refused bail at the High Court in July 2025 and was granted bail at the Court of Appeal at the end of July 2025 after spending nearly three months in custody.
- The case was adjourned at Ennis District Court in September 2026 pending a ruling in his High Court challenge, with the next appearance set for 9 December 2026.
- Investigation
- Gardaí said the investigation stretches to a number of countries and that several people still need to be established.
- Two Gardaí are employed full time on the investigation.
- Other details
- O'Mara is a former Ryanair pilot.
- The defence argues the seized substance is hemp with low THC content, which would be regarded as agricultural goods in mainland Europe.
- The High Court challenge seeks a declaration that hemp is an agricultural good within the legislation.
- An offence under Section 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years on conviction.
83 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí seized an estimated 502kg of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
- whatA former Ryanair pilot was charged in connection with possession of more than €10m of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
- whatMr O’Mara is charged in connection with the possession of more than €10m worth of drugs. (clareecho.ie)
- whatThe cannabis had a street value of over €10 million (limerickpost.ie)
- whatBrendan O’Mara faces a new charge in connection with a Garda seizure of an estimated €10 million worth of drugs. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA former Ryanair pilot is facing charges over a Garda seizure of an estimated €10m worth of drugs. (clareecho.ie)
- whatA former Ryanair pilot faces charges over a Garda seizure of an alleged estimated €10m worth of drugs. (clareecho.ie)
- whatA former Ryanair pilot faces charges over an alleged estimated €10 million worth of drugs seizure. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe cannabis seizure happened at his South Clare home. (clareecho.ie)
- whereHe is of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe cannabis was seized at the accused's South Clare home on 7 May. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe seizure took place at Mr O’Mara’s South Clare home. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe accused lives at Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe accused lives at An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, County Clare. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe cannabis seizure took place on May 7th. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe alleged offence took place on 7 May at An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe High Court challenge is listed for 19 January. (clareecho.ie)
- whenHe was first charged at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May. (clareecho.ie)
- whenHe was first charged at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on May 10, 2025. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí said he made no reply to the charges after caution. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGardaí said the investigation stretches to a number of countries and that several people still need to be established. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGardaí objected to bail because of the strength and nature of the evidence and the high value of the drugs. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationDPP directions are still outstanding. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationTwo Gardaí are employed full time on the investigation, which involves international inquiries. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationThe defence is having the seized material independently analysed. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationThe garda investigation was described as being in its infancy and was believed to stretch to a number of countries. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGardaí said the investigation stretches to a number of countries and that a number of persons still need to be established. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationDPP directions were still outstanding at the court appearance. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Adrian Cahill of Henry Street Garda Station gave evidence of O’Mara’s arrest, charge and caution. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationAt a earlier hearing, a detective said Mr O’Mara replied “absolutely no guilty” after charge and caution. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationHe replied 'absolutely not guilty' after being charged and cautioned. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeO'Mara faces two charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and possession of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe accused faces two charges: possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on 7 May. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeMr O’Mara faces two charges: possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on May 7th. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is also accused of one count of possessing cannabis on the same date (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeThe new charge alleges O’Mara possessed cannabis for the purpose of selling or supplying it to another. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe drug allegedly had a market value of €13,000 or more. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeAn offence under Section 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years on conviction. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe faced two charges, one of possessing cannabis for sale or supply and one of possessing cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe most recent charge alleges the cannabis had a market value of €13,000 or more. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with having cannabis in his possession on 7 May 2025 for the purpose of selling or supplying it. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe charge states the drug had a market value of €13,000 or more, contrary to Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling or supplying it to another. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThis was his fourth court appearance concerning the seizure. (clareecho.ie)
- courtA judge refused him bail on 10 May after Garda objections. (clareecho.ie)
- courtA bail application is pending before the High Court. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded him in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on 25 June. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThis was the accused's fifth court appearance concerning the seizure. (clareecho.ie)
- courtA judge refused the accused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May after Garda objections. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on July 9. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThis was Mr O’Mara’s fifth court appearance, held at Ennis District Court. (clareecho.ie)
- courtMr O’Mara was refused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May following garda objections. (clareecho.ie)
- courtMr O’Mara was remanded in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on 23 July. (clareecho.ie)
- courtA High Court bail hearing was fixed for the following afternoon. (clareecho.ie)
- courtO'Mara was refused bail at the High Court (limerickpost.ie)
- courtA family member offered €177,000 bail money (limerickpost.ie)
- courtHe was previously refused bail before a special sitting of Ennis District Court when first charged on 10 May (limerickpost.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in continuing custody on 23 July for two weeks pending DPP directions (limerickpost.ie)
- courtHe is to appear before the court again in two weeks for DPP directions (limerickpost.ie)
- courtO’Mara replied not guilty after charge and caution before Ennis District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Ennis District Court. (thejournal.ie, clareecho.ie)
- courtThe case could be adjourned for two weeks for the service of a book of evidence on 19 November. (thejournal.ie)
- courtO’Mara was further remanded on bail to 19 November. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe prosecution said there is a High Court challenge in the case. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe defence agreed to adjourn the case to 21 January for mention only. (clareecho.ie)
- courtHe replied to the new charge after charge and caution. (clareecho.ie)
- courtAt Ennis District Court the judge further adjourned the prosecution pending a ruling in the High Court challenge. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe High Court challenge seeks a declaration that hemp is an agricultural good within the legislation. (clareecho.ie)
- courtHe was first charged at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May 2025 and spent almost three months on remand before getting bail at the Court of Appeal in July 2025. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 9 December and his attendance on that date was excused. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJudge Adrian Harris further adjourned the prosecution pending a ruling on the High Court challenge. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to December 9 and his attendance that day was excused. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherHe is a former Ryanair pilot. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe accused lives in An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
- otherGardaí said further and more serious charges may be brought against the accused. (clareecho.ie)
- otherA sister of Mr O’Mara pledged to act as an independent bail surety for up to €177,000. (clareecho.ie)
- otherHe would hand over his US Green Card (limerickpost.ie)
- otherO’Mara spent almost three months in custody on remand before securing bail at the Court of Appeal at the end of July. (thejournal.ie)
- otherAn offence under Section 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, though a judge can impose a lesser sentence in certain circumstances. (clareecho.ie)
- otherBail was granted on conditions including an independent surety of €150,000. (clareecho.ie, limerickpost.ie)
- otherHis solicitor says the substance is hemp with a low THC content, which would be regarded as agricultural goods on the mainland of Europe. (clareecho.ie)
- otherBail conditions require him to reside at his family home in Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
- otherHis solicitor says the substance is hemp with low THC, which would be regarded as agricultural goods in mainland Europe. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Sep2026Pilot claims alleged €10m drugs seizure was 'agricultural goods'
Court adjournment report. Defence says the substance is hemp with low THC and agricultural goods. The case is adjourned to December 9. No existing case matched.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 11 Sep2026Former Ryanair pilot claims €10m Clare drugs seizure was ‘agricultural goods’ - Clare Echo
Court report on the adjournment of the case at Ennis District Court; the article covers the High Court challenge, the charge and bail history.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 21 Dec2025High Court challenge an obstacle in case of Meelick Ryanair pilot charged with €10m drugs seizure - Clare Echo
Reports a court mention at Ennis District Court; a High Court challenge is pending, the case is adjourned to 21 January, and a new charge of possessing cannabis worth €13,000 or more has been added.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 5 Nov2025Former Ryanair pilot charged with possessing €10m worth of drugs replies 'absolutely not guilty' to new charge
Adds a new, more serious charge under Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which carries a mandatory minimum 10-year sentence on conviction. O’Mara entered a not guilty reply and was further remanded on bail to 19 November.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 24 Jul2025Former Ryanair pilot charged with €10m cannabis haul refused bail
Bail refused at High Court; remanded in continuing custody for two weeks pending DPP directions; details of his pilot licences, Italian residency card, US Green Card, and flight-risk concerns provided; sister offered as bail surety for up to €177,000.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 9 Jul2025Former Ryanair pilot charged in €10m drugs seizure to apply for bail in High Court - Clare Echo
Fifth court appearance. Describes the High Court bail hearing set for 10 July, the sister's offered bail surety of up to €177,000, the garda investigation being at an early stage, and that DPP directions were still outstanding.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 30 Jun2025Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot - Clare Echo
Reports the fifth court appearance: a solicitor says independent analysis of the material will determine a bail application, Gardaí describe the investigation as complex, and the judge remanded the accused in custody to July 9.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara - 16 Jun2025Bail application pending before High Court for ex Ryanair pilot on €10m drugs charge - Clare Echo
Adds that a bail application is pending before the High Court, DPP directions are still outstanding, Gardaí say the investigation stretches to several countries, and the case was adjourned to 25 June at Ennis District Court.
accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara