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. 13323Possession of cannabis for sale or supply · Co. Clare · 7 May 2025

Former Ryanair pilot remanded over €10m cannabis seizure in Meelick, Co Clare

On 7 May 2025 gardaí seized an estimated 502kg of cannabis, valued at more than €10m, from the South Clare home of Brendan O'Mara (62), a former Ryanair pilot of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. He was charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply and possession of cannabis, and on 10 May a judge refused him bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court after Garda objections. At his fourth appearance on 16 June a bail application was pending before the High Court and the case was adjourned to 25 June. At his fifth appearance on 30 June, the judge remanded him in custody to Ennis District Court on 9 July.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized an estimated 502kg of cannabis valued at more than €10m.
When
The seizure took place on 7 May 2025.
Where
The cannabis was seized at the accused's South Clare home.
Other details
  • Brendan O'Mara, a former Ryanair pilot, lives in An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare.
  • Gardaí said further and more serious charges may be brought against the accused.
Charges
  • He faces two charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and possession of cannabis.
  • Gardaí said he made no reply to the charges after caution.
Investigation
  • Gardaí objected to bail citing the strength and nature of the evidence and the high value of the drugs.
  • DPP directions are still outstanding, and two Gardaí work full time on the investigation, which involves international inquiries across several countries.
  • Several people still need to be established, and the defence is having the seized material independently analysed.
In court
  • On 10 May a judge refused him bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court after Garda objections.
  • On 16 June, at his fourth court appearance, a bail application was pending before the High Court and he was adjourned to 25 June at Ennis District Court.
  • On 30 June, at his fifth court appearance, a solicitor said independent analysis of the material would help determine a bail application.
  • On 30 June the judge remanded him in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on 9 July.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized an estimated 502kg of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatA former Ryanair pilot was charged in connection with possession of more than €10m of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis seizure happened at his South Clare home. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereHe is of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis was seized at the accused's South Clare home on 7 May. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said he made no reply to the charges after caution. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said the investigation stretches to a number of countries and that several people still need to be established. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationGardaí objected to bail because of the strength and nature of the evidence and the high value of the drugs. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationDPP directions are still outstanding. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationTwo Gardaí are employed full time on the investigation, which involves international inquiries. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationThe defence is having the seized material independently analysed. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeO'Mara faces two charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and possession of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe accused faces two charges: possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on 7 May. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThis was his fourth court appearance concerning the seizure. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtA judge refused him bail on 10 May after Garda objections. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtA bail application is pending before the High Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded him in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on 25 June. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThis was the accused's fifth court appearance concerning the seizure. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtA judge refused the accused bail at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May after Garda objections. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded the accused in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on July 9. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherHe is a former Ryanair pilot. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe accused lives in An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherGardaí said further and more serious charges may be brought against the accused. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jun2025
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot - Clare Echo

    Reports the fifth court appearance: a solicitor says independent analysis of the material will determine a bail application, Gardaí describe the investigation as complex, and the judge remanded the accused in custody to July 9.

    accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara
  2. 16 Jun2025
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Bail application pending before High Court for ex Ryanair pilot on €10m drugs charge - Clare Echo

    Adds that a bail application is pending before the High Court, DPP directions are still outstanding, Gardaí say the investigation stretches to several countries, and the case was adjourned to 25 June at Ennis District Court.

    accused, Brendan O'Mara, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Mara