Drugs accused Patrick Irwin alleges crime over prison van border crossing
Patrick Irwin, a 44-year-old man from Ballisodare, Co Sligo, was charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply following a €100,000 cocaine seizure at Keadue West, Co. Roscommon on 16 August 2026. When being transported from Dublin to Ballyshannon District Court in a prison van on 2 September 2026, the vehicle crossed the border into Northern Ireland via Co Cavan and Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, remaining outside the Republic for approximately one hour. His solicitor Ciaran Mulholland contacted the PSNI alleging a crime was committed, arguing that Irish Prison Service staff had no legal basis to keep Irwin in the vehicle outside the Republic. At the hearing before Judge Ciaran Liddy, Irwin failed to get an independent surety accepted and is being held in Wheatfield Prison in Dublin. His solicitor has requested that PSNI officers travel to Wheatfield Prison to take a statement from Irwin.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court6 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Patrick Irwin, a 44-year-old man from Ballisodare, Co Sligo, was charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply following a €100,000 cocaine seizure.
- Where
- The cocaine was seized at Keadue West, Co. Roscommon.
- Irwin was transported from Dublin to Ballyshannon District Court in a prison van that crossed the border in Co Cavan and went via Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, remaining outside the Republic for approximately one hour.
- When
- The cocaine was seized on 16 August 2026.
- Charges
- Patrick Irwin is charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply.
- In court
- At the hearing before Judge Ciaran Liddy, Irwin failed to get an independent surety accepted.
- Other details
- Irwin is being held in Wheatfield Prison in Dublin.
- His solicitor Ciaran Mulholland contacted the PSNI alleging a crime was committed when the prison van crossed the border into Northern Ireland.
- The solicitor argues that Irish Prison Service staff had no legal basis to keep Irwin in the vehicle outside the Republic.
- The solicitor has requested that PSNI officers travel to Wheatfield Prison to take a statement from Irwin.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe cocaine was seized at Keadue West, Co. Roscommon (irishmirror.ie)
- whereIrwin was transported from Dublin to Ballyshannon District Court in a prison van (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe van crossed the border in Co Cavan and went via Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe cocaine was seized on 16 August 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe van was outside the Republic for approximately one hour (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePatrick Irwin is charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply (irishmirror.ie)
- courtIrwin failed to get an independent surety accepted at the hearing (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe hearing was before Judge Ciaran Liddy (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIrwin is being held in Wheatfield Prison in Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIrwin is 44 years old from Ballisodare, Co Sligo (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe solicitor argues IPS staff had no legal basis to keep Irwin in the vehicle outside the Republic (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Sep2026Major update on drug accused and prison van incident
Reports that Patrick Irwin's solicitor contacted the PSNI alleging a crime was committed when a prison van crossed the border into Northern Ireland during transport to Ballyshannon District Court. Also details his failed bail application before Judge Ciaran Liddy.
accused, Patrick Irwin, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Irwin