Thursday 29 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. 8025Drug offences · Co. Limerick · 22 Nov 2024

Christy Keane refused bail over €70,000 suspected cocaine found outside Limerick home

Gardaí seized suspected cocaine worth about €70,000 at Christy Keane's home at Singland Gardens, Singland, Limerick, on 22 November 2024. Keane was arrested and released without charge, then later charged with three drug offences; the sources give the charge date as 1 July 2025 in one report and 1 July 2026 in others. His co-accused, Stephen McNamara, is charged with possessing €492,000 worth of cocaine in the same investigation, and the DPP directed that both men be tried before the Special Criminal Court without a jury. On 15 September 2026, Judge Darach McCarthy at Limerick District Court refused Keane bail for a second time and remanded him in custody, with the date of his Special Criminal Court sitting yet to be determined.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Sep
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Christy Keane, aged 65, was refused bail and returned for trial on drugs charges at Limerick District Court.
Where
Keane was arrested at his home at Singland Gardens, Singland, Limerick, where suspected cocaine was found.
When
  • Gardaí seized suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €70,000 on 22 November 2024.
  • Keane's charge date is reported as 1 July 2025 in one account and as 1 July 2026, after re-arrest on 30 June 2026, in others.
Cause
The drugs were seized as part of a planned operation targeting the Keane organised crime group, a Detective Garda told the court.
Investigation
  • Reports differ on where the suspected cocaine was found: on top of a bin near the back door of the house, or in a vehicle.
  • Keane was arrested at 8:47pm, taken to Henry Street garda station and released without charge.
  • Gardaí said CCTV footage showed McNamara's vehicle at Keane's home shortly before the suspected cocaine was seized.
  • A garda agreed there is no forensic evidence linking Keane to the cocaine he is charged with possessing, and Books of Evidence, two volumes in length, were served on both accused men.
Charges
  • Keane is charged with three drug offences arising from the search of his home, including possession of €70,000 of cocaine for sale or supply.
  • Stephen McNamara, aged 44 in most reports (45 in one), of Woodcock Hill, Meelick, Co Clare, is charged with possessing €492,000 worth of cocaine in the same investigation.
In court
  • The DPP directed that Keane and McNamara be tried before the Special Criminal Court without a jury, and both were granted legal aid for their trial.
  • At a contested bail hearing on 15 September 2026, Detective Garda Brendan McSweeney objected to bail, and Judge McCarthy refused Keane bail for a second time.
Sentence
Keane was remanded in custody to a future sitting of the Special Criminal Court, with the date yet to be determined, while McNamara's bail was continued on his own bond of €500 with conditions including no contact with the co-accused.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Limerick man was refused bail and returned for trial on serious drugs charges. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatGardaí reportedly seized suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €70,000 on 22 November 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereKeane was arrested at his home at Singland Gardens, Singland, Limerick. (rte.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • whereAbout €70,000 of suspected cocaine was found on top of a bin outside Keane's house, near the back door. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí seized €70,000 worth of cocaine at the property on 22 November 2024. (rte.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • whenKeane was re-arrested on 30 June 2026 and charged on 1 July. (rte.ie)
  • whenKeane was charged with three drug offences arising from a search of his home on 22 November 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs were seized as part of a planned operation targeting organised crime. (rte.ie)
  • investigationKeane was initially arrested but later released without charge. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA garda agreed there is no forensic evidence linking Keane to the cocaine he is charged with possessing at his home. (rte.ie)
  • investigationBooks of Evidence, two volumes in length, were served on the two accused men. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs were seized as part of a planned operation targeting the Keane organised crime group. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationA Detective Garda alleged that Keane and McNamara were working hand in glove in the drugs trade. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said CCTV footage showed McNamara's vehicle at Keane's home shortly before the suspected cocaine was seized. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationKeane was arrested at 8:47pm and taken to Henry Street garda station, then released without charge. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThere is no forensic link between Keane and the substances, the court heard. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeKeane was charged with possessing €70,000 cocaine and possessing €70,000 cocaine for sale or supply, among three offences. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMcNamara is charged with possessing €492,000 worth of cocaine as part of the same investigation. (rte.ie)
  • chargeKeane was re-arrested on 30 June 2026 and charged on 1 July with three offences. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeMcNamara is charged with possession of €492,000 worth of cocaine as part of the same investigation. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeKeane was arrested on 13 June 2025 and later charged on 1 July 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeMcNamara was charged with four offences arising from 22 November 2024 and was sent forward for trial on indictment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtDetective Garda Brendan McSweeney objected to Keane receiving bail. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge McCarthy refused bail for Keane and said he was satisfied to do so. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Keane and McNamara be tried before the Special Criminal Court without a jury. (rte.ie)
  • courtKeane and McNamara were granted legal aid for their trial. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Keane and McNamara be tried before the Special Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtJudge McCarthy said the drugs charges were serious and refused bail for Keane. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtMcNamara's bail was continued on his own bond of €500 with conditions. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted Keane and McNamara legal aid for their trial. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtKeane was told he is to stand trial on indictment before the Special Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtKeane had previously sought High Court bail, which was denied. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge McCarthy refused Keane's bail application. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceKeane was remanded in custody to a sitting of a Special Criminal Court, with the date yet to be determined. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMcNamara's bail was continued on his own bond of €500 with conditions including no contact with the co-accused. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Sep2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    €70k of suspected cocaine found on bin outside Christy Keane's home, court hears

    Bail refused for a second time at Limerick District Court; Keane remanded in custody to Special Criminal Court. Article also reports co-accused Stephen McNamara's charges and that he was sent forward for trial.

    accused, CHRISTOPHER (Christy) Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)CHRISTOPHER (Christy) Keaneaccused, Stephen McNamara, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McNamara
  2. 15 Sep2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, follow-up
    Limerick man refused bail and sent for trial on cocaine charges

    First report on the bail hearing. The DPP directed trial before the Special Criminal Court, and Keane was charged on 1 July 2026 after being re-arrested on 30 June 2026.

    accused, Christy Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Keaneaccused, Stephen McNamara, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McNamara
  3. 15 Sep2026
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Christy Keane refused bail over 'serious' drugs charges

    Reports a Limerick District Court bail hearing where Keane was refused bail and McNamara's bail continued. Adds the charges, the DPP direction for a Special Criminal Court trial, and the defence and garda exchanges on flight risk and forensic evidence.

    accused, Christy Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Keaneaccused, Stephen McNamara, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McNamara