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. 8500Drug offences · Co. Offaly · 14 Apr 2026

Man and woman accused of drug offences linked to Offaly golf course house and Birr storage unit

Gardaí seized drugs worth a total of €626,000 at a house on Esker Hills Golf Course in Tullamore and at a storage container in Birr, Co Offaly, in April 2026. Darren Somers (45) and Monika Swiatkowska (46), both with addresses at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, are accused of drug offences linked to the seizures, including a cocaine sale or supply charge for the house on April 14, 2026. On June 10, 2026, Somers was charged at Tullamore District Court, where his bail application was refused and he was remanded in custody to June 24. On July 23, 2026, both accused appeared by video link from prison, were remanded in custody, and Somers is due back in court on September 2.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized drugs at Tullamore and Birr with a total value of €626,000, according to Garda evidence.
Where
The house at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, Tullamore, was rented by Somers and his female partner.
Other details
  • Monika Swiatkowska is a woman aged 46 with an address at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course.
  • The judge said the Section 15 sale or supply charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
  • Bail was set by the High Court for Swiatkowska, but she said it could not be paid.
When
Cocaine worth €13,000 or more, along with cannabis and MDMA, was allegedly held for sale or supply at the Esker Hills address on April 14, 2026.
Charges
  • Diamorphine worth €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply in a container at a Birr storage facility on April 15, 2026, and cannabis possession is charged at the same container.
  • Somers is charged with possessing drugs for sale or supply at a storage container in Birr.
  • Somers is accused of possessing drugs for his own use and crack cocaine at Kilbride Street, Tullamore, on March 16, 2026.
Investigation
Garda Scanlon told the court he believed Somers would be a flight risk if allowed out on bail.
In court
  • Somers was charged with a number of offences at the June 10, 2026 sitting of Tullamore District Court, where he was already in custody.
  • Judge Andrew Cody refused Somers's bail application, and he was remanded in custody to June 24.
  • The DPP directed that Somers be tried by indictment, and a book of evidence is to be prepared.
  • Swiatkowska made no reply to any of the charges after caution, and the DPP gave the same direction; her book of evidence is expected to be ready in September.
  • Both accused appeared by video link from prison before Tullamore District Court on July 23, 2026, and were remanded in custody.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized drugs at Tullamore and Birr with a total value of €626,000. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatTwo accused are in custody facing serious drug offences at different locations in Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe Esker Hills Golf Course house in Tullamore was rented by Somers and his female partner. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Scanlon told the court he believed Somers would be a flight risk if allowed out on bail. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeSomers was charged with possessing drugs for sale or supply at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, Tullamore, on April 14, 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeSomers was charged with possessing drugs for his own use at Kilbride St, Tullamore, on March 16, 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeSomers was charged with possessing drugs for sale or supply at a storage container in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeCocaine worth €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply at an Esker Hills address on April 14. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeCannabis and MDMA were allegedly held for sale or supply at the same Esker Hills address. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeDiamorphine worth €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply at a container in a Birr storage facility on April 15. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeCannabis possession is charged at the same Birr container. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeDarren Somers is accused of possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street, Tullamore, on March 16. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtDarren Somers was charged with a number of offences in connection with the drugs haul at the June 10 sitting of Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtSomers's bail application was refused. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtSomers was remanded in custody to June 24. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Darren Somers be tried by indictment, and a book of evidence is to be prepared. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMonika Swiatkowska made no reply to any of the charges after caution, and the DPP gave the same direction. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtBoth accused were remanded in custody for a week. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtDarren Somers is due in court on September 2. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe book of evidence for Monika Swiatkowska's prosecution is expected to be ready in September. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the Section 15 sale or supply charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe total value of the drugs found was €626,000, according to Garda evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherBail was set by the High Court for Monika Swiatkowska, but she said it could not be paid. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jul2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man and woman accused of having drugs at house on Offaly golf course

    Reports the court appearance of two accused on multiple drug charges, the alleged locations and dates, the remand in custody, and the next court dates.

    accused, Darren Somers, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Somersaccused, Monika Swiatkowska, 46, female, namedMonika Swiatkowska
  2. 17 Jun2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí seize massive drugs haul in Tullamore and Birr

    Adds the June 10 Tullamore District Court sitting, the €626,000 total value of the seized drugs, the bail refusal on Garda evidence, and the remand in custody to June 24.

    accused, Darren Somers, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Somers