Friday 30 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. 13895Drug offences (cannabis cultivation) · Co. Limerick

Chef pleads guilty over cannabis growhouse in former Limerick restaurant

Gardaí seized 35 cannabis plants worth €137,906 from a growhouse at 8 Clare Street, Limerick city, a former Chinese restaurant and takeaway. Yuen Chan, a 64-year-old man described as a chef, was found hiding in a rubbish bin during a search under a warrant, and three men who fled on foot were quickly apprehended. Mr Chan pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to several drugs offences, including cultivation and possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and Judge Daly adjourned sentencing until April 30.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí seized 35 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, with a total value of €137,906.
  • Mr Chan was found hiding inside a rubbish bin during the raid.
  • The property had additional lighting, fans, an extraction system, water tanks, heaters, tin foil on the walls and a leaf trimming machine used to assist harvesting buds.
Where
The seizure was at 8 Clare Street, Limerick city, a former Chinese restaurant and takeaway that had been closed for a number of years.
When
The date of the raid is not stated in the articles.
Investigation
  • Gardaí executed a search warrant at the property after receiving confidential information.
  • Gardaí were in position at the rear of the property, and three men who fled on foot were quickly apprehended.
Other details
  • A registered electrician installed a wiring system that bypassed the meter.
  • Mr Chan told gardaí he needed the money, was promised payment once the plants were sold, and helped feed and water the plants.
  • Mr Chan said the men who rented the property threatened him after he discovered it was being used as a growhouse, but gardaí believe he had a higher involvement.
  • His counsel said he was diagnosed with kidney disease and was in financial difficulty with €90,000 outstanding.
Charges
Mr Chan pleaded guilty to a number of drugs offences, including cultivation, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and permitting certain activities on land.
In court
The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Daly presided.
Sentence
Judge Daly adjourned sentencing until April 30.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree men fled the scene on foot, and Mr Chan was found hiding inside a rubbish bin. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe property had additional lighting, fans, an extraction system, water tanks, heaters and tin foil on the walls. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA leaf trimming machine was used to assist harvesting buds. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA registered electrician installed a wiring system to bypass the meter. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí seized 35 cannabis plants with a total value of €137,906 at 8 Clare Street, Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe property was formerly a Chinese restaurant and takeaway. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí executed a search warrant at the property after receiving confidential information. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were in position at the rear of the property and the three men were quickly apprehended. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeMr Chan pleaded guilty to a number of drugs offences including cultivation, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and permitting certain activities on land. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Daly adjourned sentencing until April 30. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMr Chan told gardaí he needed the money and was promised payment once the plants were sold, and he helped feed and water the plants. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMr Chan said he was threatened by the men who rented the property after he discovered it was being used as a growhouse. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherGardaí believe Mr Chan had a higher involvement. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHis counsel said he was diagnosed with kidney disease and was in financial difficulty with €90,000 outstanding. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Apr2025
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Gardai take away €137,000 worth of cannabis from former Chinese restaurant in Limerick

    Court report: guilty plea entered and sentencing adjourned until April 30. The raid date is not stated in the article.

    accused, Yuen Chan, 64, male, namedYuen Chan