Saturday 31 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. 18404Drug possession · Co. Offaly · 27 Jan 2024

Garda dog finds drugs in searches of two Offaly houses

On Saturday 27 January 2024, the Garda Dog Unit searched a number of premises in Birr, Offaly, because the owners were suspected of involvement in the sale or supply of drugs. The dog Rex found €500 of cannabis in one house and €400 of cocaine in another, and one male was arrested for sale or supply. The Offaly Drugs Unit and Birr Gardaí also took part in the search. The first report was dated 30 January 2024 and the latest, dated 5 February 2024, repeats these details, with no charge, court appearance or sentence reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested30 Jan
    2 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The Garda Dog Unit dog Rex, a labrador, found €500 of cannabis in one house and €400 of cocaine in another.
Where
The Garda Dog Unit searched a number of premises in Birr, Offaly.
When
The searches took place on Saturday evening, 27 January 2024.
Cause
The owners were suspected of involvement in the sale or supply of drugs.
Investigation
The searches were planned operations, and the Offaly Drugs Unit and Birr Gardaí were also involved.
Charges
One male was arrested in connection with sale or supply of drugs.
Other details
  • Rex is a labrador and one of 19 garda dogs.
  • The first article is dated 30 January 2024 and the second 5 February 2024; the first article's text gives a publication date of 31 January 2024.
  • The articles give the date as Saturday January 27 without a year, so 2024 is taken from the publication date and weekday.
  • No charge, court appearance or sentence is reported in the articles.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe sniffer dog Rex found €400 of cocaine in another house. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe searches were of a number of premises in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe Garda Dog Unit discovered a quantity of drugs during planned searches in Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe Garda Dog Unit searched a number of premises in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe searches took place on Saturday evening, 27 January. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe searches took place on Saturday evening, January 27. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe owners were suspected of involvement in the sale or supply of drugs. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeGardaí said the searches were carried out because the owners were suspected of involvement in the sale or supply of drugs. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe sniffer dog Rex found €500 of cannabis in one house. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe Offaly Drugs Unit and Birr Gardaí were also involved in the search. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeOne male was arrested for sale or supply. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherRex is a labrador and one of 19 garda dogs. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe dog Rex found €500 of cannabis in one house. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe dog Rex found €400 of cocaine in another house. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherOne male was arrested. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Feb2024
    Arrestedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Garda dog discovers drugs during searches of two houses in Offaly

    First report of the search. The article gives the day and date (Saturday January 27) but no year; 2024 is inferred from the publication date and the weekday. Article also names the Offaly Drugs Unit and Birr Gardaí as involved in the search.

    suspect, male
  2. 30 Jan2024
    Arrestedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Garda dog discovers cocaine and cannabis in Birr

    Adds that the searches were of premises the owners were suspected of supplying drugs from, names the dog Rex, gives the values of the drugs found (€500 cannabis and €400 cocaine), and says the Offaly Drugs Unit and Birr Gardaí were also involved.

    suspect, male