Ireland Case No. 2987Possession of controlled drugs · Co. Clare · 26 May 2026
Charges struck out in Shannon cannabis possession case
On 26 May 2026, a joint operation by the GNDOCB, the Clare Divisional Drug Unit and Revenue's Customs Service seized 210kg of suspected cannabis, estimated at €4.2 million, from a van stopped on the N19 at Smithstown, Shannon, Co. Clare. James Lawlor, a 40-year-old man from Dublin, was arrested and charged under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. He appeared at Ennis District Court on 27 May, was remanded in custody, and a bail application was due on 10 June. On 23 September 2026, Judge Adrian Harris struck out both charges after the DPP failed to give directions, and Lawlor was told he was free to leave Limerick prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested26 May
- Charged27 May
2 reports - In court27 May
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A joint operation seized 210kg of suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of €4.2 million.
- Where
- The seizure was made on the N19 at Smithstown, Shannon, Co. Clare.
- When
- The seizure took place on 26 May 2026.
- Investigation
- The seizure resulted from a joint operation by the GNDOCB, the Clare Divisional Drug Unit and Revenue's Customs Service.
- The seized drugs were sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
- Charges
- James Lawlor was charged under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
- In court
- Lawlor appeared at Ennis District Court on 27 May 2026 and was remanded in custody.
- A bail application was due at Ennis District Court on 10 June 2026.
- On 23 September 2026, Judge Adrian Harris struck out both charges after the DPP failed to give directions.
- Other details
- Lawlor was told he was free to leave Limerick prison.
59 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRevenue Officers seized 210 kilograms of suspected cannabis herb. (garda.ie)
- whatThe estimated value of the seizure was approximately €4,200,000. (garda.ie)
- whatOne male aged in his 40s was arrested by An Garda Síochána. (garda.ie)
- whatA large quantity of cannabis was seized on 26 May 2026. (garda.ie)
- whatThe seizure involved 210kg of cannabis, estimated at €4.2 million. (limerickleader.ie)
- what210kg of cannabis was seized (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe cannabis was valued at approximately €4.2 million (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe seizure involved 210 kg of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
- whatThe seizure involved 210kg of suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of €4.2 million. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe seizure was made in Co. Clare. (garda.ie)
- whereThe cannabis was seized on the N19 at Smithstown, Shannon. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe seizure took place at the N19, Smithstown, Shannon (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe cannabis was found at the N19, Smithstown, Shannon. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe van was stopped on the N19 at Smithstown on the outskirts of Shannon, Co Clare. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe seizure took place on Tuesday 26 May 2026. (garda.ie, clareecho.ie)
- whenThe seizure happened on 26 May 2026. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenLawlor was arrested at 1.30pm on Wednesday at Shannon Garda station (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe van was stopped on Tuesday 26 May. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe man is detained in a Garda Station in County Clare under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was released from the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations into the matter are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe seizure was made by a joint operation of GNDOCB, the Clare Divisional Drug Unit and Revenue's Customs Service. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationDirections from the DPP are not yet available in the case. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe seizure resulted from a joint operation by the GNDOCB, the Clare Divisional Drug Unit and Revenue's Customs Service. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationThe file was with the DPP, and no directions were before the court. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe suspect was charged with offences under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84. (garda.ie)
- chargeLawlor was arrested for the purpose of charge at 1.30pm at Shannon garda station. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeLawlor is charged with having cannabis for the purpose of selling or otherwise, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (limerickleader.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeLawlor is also charged with possessing cannabis, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeLawlor is charged with having cannabis in his possession, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Lawlor is charged with having cannabis for the purpose of selling or otherwise, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeMr Lawlor is also charged with possession of cannabis contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe charge of having cannabis for sale or supply under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 was struck out. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe charge of possession of cannabis under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 was struck out. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe suspect was brought before Ennis District Court on 27 May 2026. (garda.ie)
- courtLawlor appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday afternoon after being charged. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtNo bail application was made for Lawlor. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtLawlor is a suitable candidate for legal aid, and solicitor Matthew Kenny was named for representation. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThere is no application for bail for Lawlor (irishtimes.com)
- courtDPP directions are not yet available (irishtimes.com)
- courtLawlor was remanded in custody to appear via video-link from prison at Ennis District Court on 3 June 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Lawlor made no reply to the Section 3 charge and said 'guilty as charged' to the Section 15 charge. (clareecho.ie)
- courtMr Lawlor first appeared in court on 27 May 2026. (clareecho.ie)
- courtA bail application for Mr Lawlor is due at court on 10 June 2026. (clareecho.ie)
- courtMr Lawlor was remanded in custody to Ennis District Court on 10 June 2026. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe man appeared at Ennis District Court by video link from prison. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Adrian Harris struck out all charges against the man. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe man had been on remand in custody since May. (thejournal.ie)
- courtGardaí successfully objected to bail for the man in May. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge had marked the case peremptory against the State for this hearing. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Adrian Harris remanded Lawlor in custody to appear by video-link from prison at Ennis District Court on June 3. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherLawlor made no reply when cautioned on the Section 3 charge and replied 'guilty as charged' to the Section 15 charge, according to Garda McCabe. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherLawlor made no reply when cautioned on the Section 3 charge (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe seizure was valued at an estimated €4.2m. (clareecho.ie)
- otherMr Lawlor was arrested for the purpose of charge at Shannon Garda Station on 27 May 2026. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe accused was the sole occupant of the van when it was stopped and searched, according to gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
- otherWith no charges remaining, the man is free to leave Limerick prison. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Sep2026Man in court over €4.2m drugs seizure told he is free to go
Reports that Judge Adrian Harris struck out both charges at Ennis District Court after the DPP failed to give directions in time, and that the man is free to leave Limerick prison. The article gives the seizure details and earlier bail history.
accused, James Lawlor, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Lawlor - 3 Jun2026Bail application to be made for Dublin man charged in connection with €4.2m cannabis seizure - Clare Echo
Reports the charges against James Lawlor, the 210 kg seizure, his first appearance on 27 May and his remand in custody. A bail application is due at Ennis District Court on 10 June.
accused, James Lawlor, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Lawlor - 27 May2026Man (40) charged in connection with €4.2m cannabis seizure in Co Clare
Court appearance details: two charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, Lawlor replied 'guilty as charged' to the Section 15 charge, no bail application, remanded in custody to appear via video-link on 3 June 2026.
suspect, James Lawlor, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Lawlor - 27 May2026'Guilty as charged': Man appears in court over €4.2m cannabis seizure in Shannon
Reports the Ennis District Court appearance of James Lawlor, who was charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and remanded in custody. No bail application was made. The DPP directions are not yet available.
accused, James Lawlor, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Lawlor - 27 May202627/05/2026 (Update) Court Appearance - Joint Operation results in drug seizure valued at approximately €4.2 million
Confirms the suspect was released from Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, charged under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84, and brought before Ennis District Court on 27 May 2026.
suspect, 40s, male - 26 May202627/05/2026 Joint Operation - Gardaí and Revenue Customs Service Seizes €4.2 million Cannabis- 26th May 2026
Official Garda press release confirming the seizure details, the joint operation partners, and the arrest of the man in his 40s under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
suspect, 40s, male