Ireland Man and woman sent forward for Circuit Court over alleged Offaly drugs offences
Darren Somers (45) and Monika Swiatkowska (46), both listed at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, Offaly, are alleged to have held cocaine worth €13,000 or more for sale or supply there on 14 April 2026, and gardaí estimate the suspected drugs at over €500,000. Both are also alleged to have held diamorphine worth €13,000 or more for sale or supply at a container in a Birr storage facility on 15 April, and Somers is accused of possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street, Tullamore, on 16 March. Swiatkowska appeared before Tullamore District Court on 6 August and was remanded to 20 August, with High Court bail not taken up, while Somers was remanded in custody to 2 September. A later hearing, reported on 5 September, sent both accused forward to Tullamore Circuit Court, and the latest development is that Somers was remanded in custody to the sitting on 17 November.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court6 Aug
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cocaine valued at €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply to others at the Esker Hills address.
- Diamorphine valued at €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply at a container in a Birr storage facility on 15 April.
- Where
- Both accused are listed with addresses at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, Offaly.
- When
- The Esker Hills cocaine offence is alleged to have happened on 14 April 2026.
- Investigation
- Gardaí estimate the suspected drugs found at the Esker Hills residence were worth more than €500,000.
- Charges
- Both accused are charged with having cannabis and MDMA for sale or supply at the Esker Hills address on 14 April.
- Possession of cannabis is also alleged at the same Birr storage container.
- Somers is charged with possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street, Tullamore, on 16 March.
- In court
- Swiatkowska appeared before Judge Susan Fay at a vacation sitting of Tullamore District Court on 6 August and was remanded to 20 August, with High Court bail set but not taken up.
- Somers consented to a remand in custody to 2 September for service of the book of evidence, and on that date Sergeant Brendan Kearns sought a further remand.
- The DPP consented to both accused being sent to Tullamore Circuit Court sitting on 17 November, and gardaí applied for Somers to be remanded in custody to that date.
- Other details
- No bail application was made for Somers, and Judge Cody granted legal aid with two counsel to each accused, assigning Michael Hennessy, solicitor, to Somers and John Shanley, solicitor, to Swiatkowska.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCocaine valued at €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply at the Esker Hills address on 14 April. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDiamorphine valued at €13,000 or more was allegedly held for sale or supply at a container in a Birr storage facility on 15 April. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDarren Somers and Monika Swiatkowska are alleged to have had cocaine, valued at €13,000 or more, for sale or supply to others. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe accused are both listed with addresses at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe cocaine offence is alleged to have taken place at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe cocaine offence is alleged to have happened on April 14. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí estimate the suspected drugs found at the Offaly golf course residence were worth more than €500,000. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeBoth are accused of having cannabis and MDMA at the same address on the same date for sale or supply. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeCannabis possession is alleged at the same Birr container. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeSomers is accused of possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street, Tullamore, on 16 March. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeBoth accused are also charged with having cannabis and MDMA for sale or supply at the same location on the same date. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeBoth accused are alleged to have had diamorphine, valued at €13,000 or more, for sale or supply at a container in a storage facility in Birr on April 15. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThere are also charges of possessing cannabis at the same container in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeMr Somers is separately accused of possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street, Tullamore, on March 16. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMonika Swiatkowska appeared before Judge Susan Fay at a vacation sitting of the District Court on 6 August. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSergeant Brendan Kearns sought a further remand to Tullamore District Court on 2 September for service of a book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSwiatkowska agreed to a remand to 20 August, with bail granted in the High Court but not taken up. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSomers consented to a remand in custody to 2 September. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to both accused being sent to Tullamore Circuit Court sitting on November 17. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtGardaí applied for Mr Somers to be remanded in custody to November 17. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtNo bail application was made for Mr Somers. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody granted legal aid with two counsel to Mr Somers, assigning Michael Hennessy, solicitor. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtBail had been set in the High Court for Ms Swiatkowska, but she had not been able to take it up. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody granted legal aid with two counsel to Ms Swiatkowska, assigning John Shanley, solicitor. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Sep2026Man and woman for Circuit Court on '€500,000' Offaly drugs rap
Reports the District Court appearance at which both accused were sent forward to the Circuit Court, the estimated value of the drugs, and the bail and legal aid position.
accused, Darren Somers, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Somersaccused, Monika Swiatkowska, 46, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Monika Swiatkowska - 6 Aug2026Pair in custody for possessing drugs at house on Offaly golf course
Court report on the 6 August 2026 District Court appearance at Tullamore: Swiatkowska was remanded to 20 August with bail granted in the High Court but not taken up, and Somers was remanded in custody to 2 September for service of the book of evidence. Adds that diamorphine was alleged at a Birr storage container on 15 April and that Somers is accused of crack cocaine possession at Kilbride Street on 16 March.
accused, Darren Somers, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Somersaccused, Monika Swiatkowska, 46, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Monika Swiatkowska