Thursday 5 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. 29855Possession of drugs (cannabis); drug trafficking (cultivation, sale and supply) · Co. Laois · 19 Feb 2021

Man sent for trial over cannabis cultivation in Mountrath

Cannabis plants worth €270,000 were found in a semi-detached house at 8 Newline Close, Mountrath, Laois, on 19 February 2021. Phu Vo, a 42-year-old Vietnamese man of no fixed abode, was charged with cultivation of cannabis without a licence, possession, and possession for sale or supply. He has been in custody since 20 February 2021 and was further remanded at Portlaoise District Court on 2 September 2021. The Book of Evidence was served and he was sent for trial to Portlaoise Circuit Court, sitting in Tullamore, on 26 October 2021.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Cannabis plants worth €270,000 were found in a semi-detached house in Mountrath.
Where
The cannabis was cultivated at 8 Newline Close, Mountrath, Laois.
When
The cannabis was seized on 19 February 2021.
Charges
Phu Vo was charged with cultivation of cannabis without a licence, possession, and possession for sale or supply.
In court
  • He was remanded in custody at Portlaoise District Court on 2 September 2021, appearing via video link with an interpreter present.
  • The matter was adjourned to 7 October 2021 and marked peremptory for a Book of Evidence.
  • The Book of Evidence was served and he was sent for trial to Portlaoise Circuit Court, sitting in Tullamore, on 26 October 2021.
  • Both Junior and Senior Counsel were approved for the trial.
Other details
  • Phu Vo is a 42-year-old Vietnamese national of no fixed abode.
  • He has been in custody since 20 February 2021.
  • There was no application for bail.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe cannabis plants were found in a semi-detached house in Mountrath (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis was cultivated at 8 Newline Close, Mountrath (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe cannabis was seized on 19 February 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe cultivation took place on 19 February 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargePhu Vo is charged in connection with the discovery of a cannabis grow house in Mountrath (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged in connection with the seizure of €270,000 worth of cannabis plants (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargePhu Vo was charged with cultivation of cannabis without a licence (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was also charged with possession and possession for sale or supply (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe was further remanded in custody at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday (2 September 2021) (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe appeared via video link in court (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtAn interpreter was present in court (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe Book of Evidence was not yet ready (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtIt would be another four weeks before the Book of Evidence was ready (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtPhu Vo had been in custody since 20 February 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 7 October 2021 and marked peremptory for a Book of Evidence (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe Book of Evidence was served at Portlaoise District Court (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe was sent for trial to Portlaoise Circuit Court sitting in Tullamore on 26 October 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtSolicitor Barry Fitzgerald requested a Senior Counsel in addition to the Junior Counsel (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtBoth the Junior and Senior Counsel were approved (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherPhu Vo is a Vietnamese national (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherPhu Vo is of no fixed abode (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThere was no application for bail (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe value of the cannabis was over €200,000 (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Oct2021
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man charged in connection with cannabis growhouse in Laois sent for trail to Circuit Court

    Reports that the Book of Evidence was served and the accused was sent for trial to Circuit Court, with no bail application and both Junior and Senior Counsel approved.

    accused, Phu Vo, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Phu Vo
  2. 3 Sep2021
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Further remand in custody for man charged in connection with cannabis growhouse in Laois

    Further remand; Book of Evidence not yet ready due to DPP office contingencies; matter adjourned to 7 October 2021 marked peremptory; defendant in custody since 20 February 2021.

    suspect, Phu Vo, male, Vietnamese, named, non-irishPhu Vo