Ireland Man sent to Special Criminal Court on drug and organised crime charges
Blazej Ozanski (31), a man from Portlaoise, is accused of having cannabis in his possession and for sale or supply at a storage facility in Townspark, Mountmellick, on 16 February 2026, and of participating in a criminal organisation by fitting concealed compartments in motor vehicles between 1 July 2024 and 16 February 2026. At Tullamore District Court in July 2026, the book of evidence was still being prepared and he was remanded in custody to 2 September. In September 2026, gardaí were granted an extension to serve the book of evidence to 7 October, and Ozanski was on bail with a curfew and independent surety. On 9 October 2026, the book of evidence was served, the Section 72 charge was amended, and Judge Andrew Cody sent Ozanski for trial to the Special Criminal Court, granting him legal aid.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Jul
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Blazej Ozanski is accused of having cannabis in his possession and for sale or supply to others.
- Where
- The alleged drug offences took place at a storage facility in Townspark, Mountmellick.
- When
- The alleged offences took place on 16 February 2026.
- Charges
- He is charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act with participation in a criminal organisation through fitting concealed compartments in motor vehicles, originally for the period 15 May 2024 to 16 February 2026 and amended to 1 July 2024 to 16 February 2026.
- In court
- At Tullamore District Court in July 2026, the book of evidence was still being prepared and Ozanski was remanded in custody to 2 September.
- In September 2026, gardaí were granted an extension to serve the book of evidence to 7 October, and Ozanski was on bail with a curfew and independent surety.
- On 9 October 2026, the book of evidence was served, the Section 72 charge was amended, and Judge Andrew Cody sent Ozanski for trial to the Special Criminal Court.
- Judge Cody granted legal aid and assigned a solicitor and two counsel.
- Other details
- Ozanski's address is Hawthorn Way, Ridge Road, Portlaoise.
33 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBlazej Ozanski allegedly had cannabis in his possession, and cannabis in his possession for sale or supply to others. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe alleged cannabis offence took place at a storage facility in Townspark, Mountmellick. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe alleged drug offences took place at a storage facility in Townspark, Mountmellick. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereOzanski's address is Hawthorn Way, Ridge Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged cannabis offence took place on 16 February. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged drug offences happened on February 16. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of having cannabis in his possession. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of having cannabis in his possession for sale or supply to others. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe is also charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act for the period from 15 May 2024 to 16 February 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe Section 72 charge alleges fitting of concealed compartments in motor vehicles as the participation in a criminal organisation. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeOzanski is also charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act with an offence between May 15, 2024 and February 16, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe Section 72 charge alleges participation in criminal organisation activity through fitting concealed compartments in motor vehicles. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with having cannabis in his possession and for sale or supply at a storage facility in Townspark, Mountmellick, on 16 February 2026. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe criminal organisation charge was amended to allege he participated in fitting concealed compartments in motor vehicles between 1 July 2024 and 16 February 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe Section 72 charge was amended to allege he participated in fitting concealed compartments in motor vehicles between 1 July 2024 and 16 February 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP had directed that a book of evidence be prepared in the case. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtTime was extended for service of the book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA remand to 2 September was sought for service of the book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused, who is in custody, to 2 September. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSergeant Brendan Kearns told Tullamore District Court that the book of evidence against Ozanski was still being prepared. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtGardaí applied for an extension of time to serve the book of evidence to October 7. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtOzanski, who is on bail, had no objection, and Judge Andrew Cody remanded him to appear again on October 7. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtA book of evidence was served on Blazej Ozanski at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Andrew Cody made the order sending Ozanski for trial to the Special Criminal Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody granted legal aid and assigned the solicitor and two counsel after being told the man was not working. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA book of evidence was served on Blazej Ozanski at Tullamore District Court by Detective Garda Aidan Ferris. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtSandra Mahon, appearing for the DPP, applied to amend the Section 72 charge and for the case to be sent to the Special Criminal Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Andrew Cody made the order sending Ozanski to the Special Criminal Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtOzanski was on bail with a curfew and an independent surety, the same conditions fixed by the High Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody granted legal aid and assigned the solicitor and two counsel. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused was told to speak to his solicitor, Patrick Martin, in the meantime. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherOzanski is on bail with a curfew and an independent surety, the same conditions fixed by the High Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherOzanski was not working at the time of the hearing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Oct2026Laois resident sent to Special Criminal Court in connection with organised crime
Book of evidence served; Section 72 charge amended to specify the period (July 2024 to February 2026) and the act (fitting concealed compartments in motor vehicles); DPP certified the case for the Special Criminal Court under Section 46.2 of the Offences Against the State Act; Judge Cody made the order and granted legal aid.
accused, Blazej Ozanski, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Blazej Ozanski - 9 Oct2026Judge sitting in Offaly sends man for trial to Special Criminal Court
Book of evidence served; criminal organisation charge amended to cover July 1 2024 to February 16 2026; DPP certified under Section 46.2 that ordinary courts are inadequate; Judge Cody sent Ozanski for trial to the Special Criminal Court; legal aid granted.
accused, Blazej Ozanski, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Blazej Ozanski - 14 Sep2026Court gives gardai more time in Laois criminal organisation charge case
Reports a court appearance at Tullamore District Court where gardaí were granted an extension to serve the book of evidence to October 7. Sets out the drug and Section 72 criminal organisation charges and says the accused is on bail.
accused, Blazej Ozanski, 31, male, namedBlazej Ozanski - 24 Jul2026Man before Tullamore District Court on criminal organisation charge
First report on this case. Court appearance at Tullamore District Court; book of evidence awaited and accused remanded in custody to 2 September.
accused, Blazej Ozanski, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Blazej Ozanski