Former Ryanair pilot Brendan O'Meara charged with possession of €10m cannabis in Co Clare
On 7 May 2025, Gardaí seized two pallets containing over 500kgs of cannabis herb valued at more than €10 million from a residential property in Meelick, Co Clare, and arrested two men in their 60s. Brendan O'Meara, 62, a former Ryanair pilot, was charged with possessing cannabis for sale or supply and possessing cannabis, while the second man was released without charge. On 10 May 2025, O'Meara was refused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court, where Gardaí alleged he has international criminal connections and that further and more serious charges may follow. The investigation, part of Operation Tara and ongoing Revenue and GNDOCB operations, remains ongoing with the cannabis sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested7 May
2 reports - Charged7 May
3 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two pallets containing over 500kgs of cannabis herb, valued at more than €10 million, were seized at a residential property in Co Clare.
- Where
- The operation was carried out at a residential property in An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare.
- When
- The operation took place on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.
- Investigation
- The intelligence-led operation was part of Operation Tara and ongoing investigations by Revenue and the GNDOCB targeting drugs distribution networks, carried out by the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit and Limerick-based Garda units.
- Two men, both in their 60s, were arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1996; the second man was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP.
- The seized cannabis was sent for analysis to Forensic Science Ireland and the investigation remains ongoing.
- Charges
- Brendan O'Meara, 62, a former Ryanair pilot, was charged with possessing cannabis for sale or supply and possessing cannabis.
- In court
- He was refused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May 2025 before Judge Marie Keane, where Gardaí alleged he has international criminal connections and that further and more serious charges may follow.
- Other details
- O'Meara had recently handed in his notice to Ryanair, holds three pilot licences including a helicopter, UK and EASA licence, and was in the process of moving to Columbus, Ohio.
32 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCannabis herb with an estimated value of over €10 million was seized in County Clare. (garda.ie)
- whatTwo pallets containing over 500kgs of cannabis herb were recovered. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo men, both in their 60s, were arrested. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatCannabis valued at over €10 million was seized during an operation in Co Clare on 7 May 2025. (garda.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was valued at more than €10 million (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo pallets containing over 500kgs of cannabis herb valued at more than €10 million were recovered. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe raid was carried out at a residential property in Co Clare (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe operation was carried out at a residential property in Co Clare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe operation took place at a residential property in Co. Clare on Wednesday, 7th May, 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe operation was carried out on Wednesday, 7 May 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe operation took place on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe two men are detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at Garda stations in Clare and Limerick. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe seized cannabis will be sent for analysis to Forensic Science Ireland. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was part of ongoing investigations by Revenue and the GNDOCB targeting drugs distribution networks. (garda.ie)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation remains ongoing. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí from the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit and Limerick-based Garda units carried out the operation (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was intelligence-led and resulted from ongoing investigations by Revenue and the GNDOCB targeting drugs distribution networks (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was carried out as part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was carried out by the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit and Limerick-based Garda units. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationTwo men, both in their 60s, were arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe second arrested man was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí obtained a search warrant at Ennis District Court before searching the address. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeA man in his 60s has been charged in connection with the seizure. (garda.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May 2025 at 3pm. (garda.ie)
- courtThe charged man is due before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday, 10 May at 3pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was refused bail at Ennis District Court before Judge Marie Keane. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe second individual arrested was released from Garda custody without charge. (garda.ie)
- otherHe recently handed in his notice to Ryanair. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe has a green card and is in the process of moving his life to Columbus, Ohio. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe holds three pilots licences including a helicopter licence, a UK pilot licence and an EASA licence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHis other sister passed away six weeks ago. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 May2025Former Ryanair pilot (62) charged with possession of €10m worth of cannabis
Bail hearing at Ennis District Court; Gardaí allege international criminal connections and that further and more serious charges may follow.
accused, 62, male, irish (judged from name) - 9 May2025Man due in court in connection with €10 million cannabis seizure
Reports the Wednesday operation, arrests of two men in their 60s, the Friday charging of one man, and his scheduled Saturday court appearance; the second man was released without charge with a file to be prepared for the DPP.
suspect, 60s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 8 May2025Two arrested after €10m worth of cannabis seized by gardai in major drugs bust
Confirms two men in their 60s were arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1996 at Garda stations in Clare and Limerick; cannabis to be sent to FSI for analysis; operation described as intelligence-led by Revenue and GNDOCB targeting drugs distribution networks.
suspect, 60s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 7 May2025Court Appearance - Operation Tara: Gardaí and Revenue Seize €10M worth of Cannabis in County Clare – Two Men Arrested - 7th May 2025
Adds that the man in his 60s is due to appear before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May 2025 at 3pm, and that the second man arrested was released without charge with a file to be prepared for the DPP.
suspect, 60s, malesuspect - 7 May2025Operation Tara: Gardaí and Revenue Seize €10M worth of Cannabis in County Clare – Two Men Arrested - 7th May 2025
Garda press release confirming the arrest of two men in their 60s and the seizure of over 500kgs of cannabis; the cannabis is being sent to FSI for analysis and investigations remain ongoing.
suspect, 60s, malesuspect, 60s, male