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. 10688Organised crime (directing a criminal organisation), cocaine importation and money laundering · Co. Dublin

Dublin man charged over alleged cocaine smuggling and organised crime to face Special Criminal Court trial

Brian Grendon, a 48-year-old Dublin man, was arrested by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau after returning to the State, in an investigation into alleged cocaine importation through Rosslare Europort in 2024. He was earlier remanded in custody on 26 January, and he has been charged with directing a criminal organisation between 1 August and 17 September 2024 and with five connected offences, including money laundering. On 31 March 2026 fresh charges were brought at Dublin District Court, the DPP decided the case will go to the Special Criminal Court, and he made no reply to the charges and was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 7 April.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged1 Mar
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A Dublin man has been charged with directing a crime gang and cocaine smuggling and will face a non-jury Special Criminal Court trial.
  • The alleged cocaine importation involved cocaine worth €13,000 or more brought into the State via Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford.
Where
The alleged cocaine importation was through Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford.
When
  • The cocaine importation offences allegedly occurred over three time periods in 2024, and the primary charge covers 1 August to 17 September 2024.
  • The article is dated 1 March 2026 in its listing but its text is dated 31 March 2026, at 5.36pm.
Investigation
Brian Grendon, 48, was arrested after an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau following his return to the country.
Charges
  • Grendon is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in drug importation, distribution and money laundering, contrary to Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
  • Grendon is charged with five additional connected offences, including two money laundering allegations for possession of €22,220 and €230,860 on 16 September 2024 and the following day.
In court
  • Fresh charges were brought against Grendon at Dublin District Court, where he made no reply to each new charge.
  • Judge Treasa Kelly noted the DPP's decision that the case will eventually be transferred to the Special Criminal Court.
  • Grendon has yet to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 7 April.
Other details
  • Grendon was previously remanded in custody on 26 January and previously lodged a bail application in February, which he withdrew at a late stage and was ordered to pay prosecution costs.
  • The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail, and the defence said Grendon will apply for High Court bail later this month.
  • The defence expects the prosecution's book of evidence to be completed soon, as Grendon was questioned about the matter a year ago.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Dublin man has been charged with running a crime gang and cocaine smuggling and will face a non-jury Special Criminal Court trial. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe additional offences relate to the unlawful importation of cocaine worth €13,000 or more into the State via Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe cocaine importation offences allegedly occurred over three time periods in 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGrendon was arrested after an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau following his return to the country. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe primary charge alleges that between 1 August and 17 September 2024 he directed the activities of a criminal organisation in drug importation, distribution and money laundering, contrary to Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeGrendon was charged with five additional connected offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeTwo money laundering allegations involve possession of proceeds of crime of €22,220 and €230,860 on 16 September 2024 and the following day. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFresh charges were brought against Grendon at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtGrendon made no reply to each new charge when they were put to him. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Treasa Kelly noted the DPP's decision that the case will eventually be transferred to the Special Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtGrendon has yet to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 7 April. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe was previously remanded in custody on 26 January. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in this case. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Grendon would apply for High Court bail later this month. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe defence expects the prosecution's book of evidence to be completed soon, as Grendon was questioned about the matter a year ago. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherGrendon previously lodged a bail application in February, withdrew it at a late stage and was ordered to pay prosecution costs. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    Chargedthejournal.ie, first report
    Dublin man charged with organised crime and cocaine smuggling to face Special Criminal Court trial

    New article on fresh charges brought at Dublin District Court on 31 March 2026, the DPP's decision that the case will go to the Special Criminal Court, and the remand and bail position. No existing case in the list matches this individual.

    accused, Brian Grendon, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Grendon