Sunday 1 November 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. 8025Drug offences · Co. Limerick · 22 Nov 2024

Keane refused bail over cocaine charges, sent for trial in Limerick

On 22 November 2024, gardaí searched the home of man Christy Keane, 65, at Singland Gardens, Limerick, under warrant and seized suspected cocaine worth an estimated €70,000, found on top of a bin outside the house. Keane was initially arrested but released without charge; he was re-arrested on 30 June 2026 and charged on 1 July with three drug offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Co-accused Stephen McNamara, 44, of Meelick, Co Clare, is charged with possession of €492,000 worth of cocaine from the same investigation. The DPP directed both men to be tried before the Special Criminal Court without a jury. On 15 September 2026, Judge Darach McCarthy refused Keane's bail, describing the charges as serious, and remanded him in custody, while McNamara's bail was continued on a €500 bond.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Jul
    6 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €70,000, found on top of a bin outside Keane's home near the back door.
Where
The search was carried out at Singland Gardens, Singland, Limerick.
When
The drugs were seized on 22 November 2024.
Investigation
  • The seizure was part of a planned operation targeting the Keane organised crime group.
  • Keane was initially arrested at 8:47pm on 22 November 2024 and released without charge; he was re-arrested on 30 June 2026 and charged on 1 July 2026.
  • A garda told the court there is no forensic evidence linking Keane to the cocaine, and CCTV showed McNamara's vehicle at Keane's home shortly before the seizure.
Charges
  • Keane is charged with three offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act (Sections 15, 15(a), and 3) covering possession for sale or supply and simple possession.
  • Co-accused Stephen McNamara, aged 44 (reports differ: 45), of Meelick, Co Clare, is charged with possession of €492,000 worth of cocaine from the same investigation.
In court
  • The DPP directed that Keane and McNamara be tried before the Special Criminal Court without a jury.
  • On 15 September 2026, Judge Darach McCarthy refused Keane's bail, describing the charges as serious, and remanded him in custody.
Other details
McNamara's bail was continued on his own bond of €500 with conditions including no contact with the co-accused.
63 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €70,000. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatChristopher (Christy) Keane is charged with possession of drugs and possession for sale or supply under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (rte.ie)
  • whatCocaine with an estimated value of €70,000 was seized. (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized suspected cocaine estimated to be worth €70,000. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA Limerick man was refused bail and returned for trial on serious drugs charges. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatGardaí reportedly seized suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €70,000 on 22 November 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí searched Mr Keane's home at Singland Gardens under warrant. (rte.ie)
  • whereKeane has an address at Singland Gardens, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereKeane was arrested at his home at Singland Gardens, Singland, Limerick. (rte.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • whereAbout €70,000 of suspected cocaine was found on top of a bin outside Keane's house, near the back door. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe drugs were seized by gardaí on November 22, 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe drugs were seized on 22 November 2024. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe charges relate to drugs seized on 22 November 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí seized €70,000 worth of cocaine at the property on 22 November 2024. (rte.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • whenKeane was re-arrested on 30 June 2026 and charged on 1 July. (rte.ie)
  • whenKeane was charged with three drug offences arising from a search of his home on 22 November 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched his home address under warrant. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched Keane's home under warrant. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe book of evidence is still being prepared. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs were seized as part of a planned operation targeting organised crime. (rte.ie)
  • investigationKeane was initially arrested but later released without charge. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA garda agreed there is no forensic evidence linking Keane to the cocaine he is charged with possessing at his home. (rte.ie)
  • investigationBooks of Evidence, two volumes in length, were served on the two accused men. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs were seized as part of a planned operation targeting the Keane organised crime group. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationA Detective Garda alleged that Keane and McNamara were working hand in glove in the drugs trade. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said CCTV footage showed McNamara's vehicle at Keane's home shortly before the suspected cocaine was seized. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationKeane was arrested at 8:47pm and taken to Henry Street garda station, then released without charge. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThere is no forensic link between Keane and the substances, the court heard. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with possession of drugs for sale or supply and simple possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was originally charged on July 1 in relation to these matters. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeKeane is charged with three different drugs offences. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeKeane was charged with Section 15, Section 15(a) and Section 3 offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, covering possession for sale or supply and simple possession. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeKeane was charged with possessing €70,000 cocaine and possessing €70,000 cocaine for sale or supply, among three offences. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMcNamara is charged with possessing €492,000 worth of cocaine as part of the same investigation. (rte.ie)
  • chargeKeane was re-arrested on 30 June 2026 and charged on 1 July with three offences. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeMcNamara is charged with possession of €492,000 worth of cocaine as part of the same investigation. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeKeane was arrested on 13 June 2025 and later charged on 1 July 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeMcNamara was charged with four offences arising from 22 November 2024 and was sent forward for trial on indictment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtChristy Keane was further remanded in custody in relation to drugs seized in November 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtA book of evidence is to be prepared, and Keane has been further remanded in custody in Limerick Prison. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtHe appeared via video link on Tuesday, July 21. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded him in custody on consent, to appear again in August for service of the book of evidence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions has directed Mr Keane to face trial on indictment at the Special Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtMr Keane appeared before a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court by video link. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Catherine Ryan remanded Mr Keane in custody to appear again on 19 August for service of the book of evidence. (rte.ie)
  • courtKeane is to stand trial on indictment before the Special Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtKeane appeared by video-link at a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court before Judge Catherine Ryan. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtGardaí asked for an additional two weeks to complete the book of evidence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtKeane was remanded in custody until 19 August. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtDetective Garda Brendan McSweeney objected to Keane receiving bail. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge McCarthy refused bail for Keane and said he was satisfied to do so. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Keane and McNamara be tried before the Special Criminal Court without a jury. (rte.ie)
  • courtKeane and McNamara were granted legal aid for their trial. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Keane and McNamara be tried before the Special Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtJudge McCarthy said the drugs charges were serious and refused bail for Keane. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtMcNamara's bail was continued on his own bond of €500 with conditions. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted Keane and McNamara legal aid for their trial. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtKeane was told he is to stand trial on indictment before the Special Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtKeane had previously sought High Court bail, which was denied. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge McCarthy refused Keane's bail application. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceKeane was remanded in custody to a sitting of a Special Criminal Court, with the date yet to be determined. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHe is represented by solicitor Tom Kiely. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMcNamara's bail was continued on his own bond of €500 with conditions including no contact with the co-accused. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Sep2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    €70k of suspected cocaine found on bin outside Christy Keane's home, court hears

    Bail refused for a second time at Limerick District Court; Keane remanded in custody to Special Criminal Court. Article also reports co-accused Stephen McNamara's charges and that he was sent forward for trial.

    accused, CHRISTOPHER (Christy) Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)CHRISTOPHER (Christy) Keaneaccused, Stephen McNamara, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McNamara
  2. 15 Sep2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, follow-up
    Limerick man refused bail and sent for trial on cocaine charges

    First report on the bail hearing. The DPP directed trial before the Special Criminal Court, and Keane was charged on 1 July 2026 after being re-arrested on 30 June 2026.

    accused, Christy Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Keaneaccused, Stephen McNamara, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McNamara
  3. 15 Sep2026
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Christy Keane refused bail over 'serious' drugs charges

    Reports a Limerick District Court bail hearing where Keane was refused bail and McNamara's bail continued. Adds the charges, the DPP direction for a Special Criminal Court trial, and the defence and garda exchanges on flight risk and forensic evidence.

    accused, Christy Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Keaneaccused, Stephen McNamara, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McNamara
  4. 5 Aug2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man Christy Keane to stand trial at Special Criminal Court over drug charges

    Reports that Keane is to stand trial on indictment before the Special Criminal Court, that he was remanded in custody until 19 August, and that the book of evidence is still being prepared.

    accused, CHRISTOPHER (Christy) Keane, male, named, irish (judged from name)CHRISTOPHER (Christy) Keane
  5. 5 Aug2026
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Christy Keane to face trial over €70k cocaine seizure

    First report of the case: the DPP has directed Mr Keane to face trial on indictment at the Special Criminal Court; he was remanded in custody to 19 August for service of the book of evidence.

    accused, Christopher (Christy) Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher (Christy) Keane
  6. 21 Jul2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Christy Keane remanded in Limerick Prison as book of evidence is prepared

    Court report of a further remand in custody on drug charges; the book of evidence is to be served in August 2026.

    accused, Christy Keane, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christy Keane