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. 10038Drugs for sale or supply · Co. Laois · 8 Apr 2026

Man accused of possessing €160,000 of drugs granted bail

Keith Dunne, 38, of Killurin, Tullamore, Co Offaly, was stopped at a checkpoint on Main Street, Portarlington, on 8 April 2026, where gardaí said they found drugs valued at €160,000 in the car, of which he was the sole occupant. He is accused of having drugs for sale or supply, and gardaí said a Section 15A prosecution for possession of drugs valued over €13,000 was likely. At a bail hearing at Portlaoise District Court, gardaí objected, but the judge set bail with a €1,000 bond and a €10,000 independent surety, with conditions including a curfew from 7pm to 8am. Reports differ on whether he was granted bail or remanded in custody with consent to bail, and he is due to return to Portlaoise District Court on 13 April.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Apr
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Keith Dunne, 38, of Killurin, Tullamore, Co Offaly, is accused of having drugs for sale or supply.
  • The drugs were valued at €160,000.
Where
The drugs were discovered at a checkpoint on Main Street, Portarlington, where Dunne was stopped.
When
The drugs were found and the alleged offence took place on 8 April 2026.
Investigation
  • The drugs were found in the rear footwell of the car, and Dunne was the sole occupant.
  • Two mobile phones were also found, and Dunne was arrested and interviewed on four occasions.
  • Dunne refused to give gardaí the PIN numbers of the phones.
Other details
  • The drugs were vacuum packed and placed within an animal feed bag.
  • The judge reserved the issue of legal aid.
Charges
Gardaí said a Section 15A prosecution for possession of drugs valued over €13,000 was likely.
In court
  • Dunne applied for bail at Portlaoise District Court, appearing by video link, and gardaí objected and sought remand in custody due to the seriousness of the charges and strength of the evidence.
  • The judge said the evidence was reasonably strong but that Dunne enjoys the presumption of innocence.
  • Reports differ: one says Dunne was given consent to bail, another says bail was granted, and the key facts say he was remanded in custody with consent to bail.
  • His father, Aidan Dunne, gave evidence that he was prepared to use €10,000 of his savings as surety, and the judge approved an independent surety.
Sentence
Bail was set at a €1,000 bond and a €10,000 independent surety, subject to conditions including a curfew from 7pm to 8am.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKeith Dunne, 38, applied for bail at Portlaoise District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA man accused of having drugs valued at €160,000 was granted bail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereHe was stopped at a checkpoint on Main Street in Portarlington. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were discovered at a checkpoint on Main Street, Portarlington. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe drugs were found on 8 April 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence took place on 8 April 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs were found in the rear footwell of the car, and two mobile phones were also found. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationDunne was arrested and interviewed on four occasions and refused to give gardaí the PIN numbers of the phones. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeDunne is accused of having drugs for sale or supply. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeGardaí said a Section 15A prosecution for possession of drugs valued over €13,000 was likely. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of having drugs for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtGardaí objected to bail and asked for Dunne to be remanded in custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the evidence was reasonably strong but that Dunne enjoys the presumption of innocence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtDunne was remanded in custody with consent to bail and must return to Portlaoise District Court on 13 April. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Portlaoise District Court via video link. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge approved an independent surety and remanded him in custody with consent to bail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceBail was set at a €1,000 bond and a €10,000 independent surety, subject to conditions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe drugs were vacuum packed and placed within an animal feed bag. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDunne was the sole occupant of the car. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge reserved the issue of legal aid. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHis father gave evidence that he was prepared to use €10,000 of his savings as surety. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA curfew condition requires him to remain indoors during certain hours. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe curfew runs between 7pm and 8am. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Apr2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man accused of possessing €160,000 of drugs granted bail

    Court report of bail granted to Keith Dunne, accused of drugs for sale or supply in Portarlington; first report of this case in the existing list.

    accused, Keith Dunne, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keith Dunne
  2. 10 Apr2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Offaly man was 'extremely nervous' before gardaí found €160k of drugs in car, court told

    Reports the bail hearing at Portlaoise District Court: gardaí objected to bail, the judge set bail with a €10,000 independent surety and other conditions, and the case was adjourned to 13 April. Adds the garda evidence about the car, the seizure and the phones, and the expected Section 15A charge.

    accused, Keith Dunne, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keith Dunne