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. 21609Drugs offence (cannabis possession for sale or supply) · Co. Dublin · 31 Mar 2023

Man charged over €1.36m cannabis found in oranges at Dublin warehouse

€1.36m worth of cannabis concealed in crates of oranges shipped from Spain to Dublin Port was found at a Dublin warehouse. Dawid Zajac, a 38-year-old man who has lived in Ireland for 16 years, was charged on 31 March 2023 with unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Cornstown, Ashbourne, Co. Dublin. He appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on 3 April, where bail was set at a €20,000 bond with half lodged plus an independent surety of €20,000. He was remanded in custody until bail is taken up, with a next hearing at Cloverhill District Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
€1.36m worth of cannabis was concealed in crates of oranges shipped from Spain to Dublin Port.
Where
The cannabis was found at a Dublin warehouse in Cornstown, Ashbourne, Co. Dublin.
When
The suspect was charged on 31 March 2023.
Investigation
The operation involved Revenue Customs Service, GNDOCB, Coolock and Raheny District Drugs Units, and the Meath Divisional Drugs Unit.
Charges
Dawid Zajac was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply.
In court
  • He appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on 3 April 2023.
  • Bail was set at a €20,000 bond with half lodged plus an independent surety of €20,000.
  • He was remanded in custody until bail is taken up, with a next hearing at Cloverhill District Court.
Other details
  • The accused is originally from Poland but has been living in Ireland for 16 years.
  • He was in the warehouse when a logistics company delivered the crates and helped off-load them.
  • His phone and passport had been seized, and he had an invoice for the shipment on his phone.
  • Another man was charged earlier in connection with the case.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • what€1.36m worth of cannabis was concealed in crates of oranges shipped from Spain to Dublin Port (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis was found at a Dublin warehouse (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation involved Revenue Customs Service, GNDOCB, Coolock and Raheny District Drugs Units, and the Meath Divisional Drugs Unit (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHis phone and passport had been seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDawid Zajac was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis on 31 March (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with having the cannabis for sale or supply at Cornstown, Ashbourne, Co. Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail was set at a €20,000 bond with half lodged plus an independent surety of €20,000 (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody until bail is taken up, with next hearing at Cloverhill District Court (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtOn taking up bail he must sign on daily at Trim Garda station, remain contactable by phone, and notify gardaí of any address change (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused is originally from Poland but has been living in Ireland for 16 years (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused made no reply to the charges (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDetective Garda Paula Carter objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused paid a €5,000 customs fee for a container to be released from the port (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was in the warehouse when a logistics company delivered the crates and helped off-load them (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe had an invoice for the shipment on his phone (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe lives with his partner and children and is in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe has left Ireland twice since 2007, for Christmas in Poland and a week's holiday to Latvia (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAnother man was charged earlier in connection with the case (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Apr2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Warehouse worker charged over €1.36m of cannabis found in container of oranges

    Details of the court appearance including the detective's evidence, bail conditions, and the accused's personal circumstances.

    accused, Dawid Zajac, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Dawid Zajac