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. 9920Drug importation and conspiracy · Co. Donegal

Three men before court over €2.2m Ballybofey cannabis seizure

About 112kg of herbal cannabis, estimated at €2.2 million, was seized at a premises in the Ballybofey area in April 2025. Patrick McGinty, 39, and his brother Michael McGinty, along with Christopher Doherty of Buncrana, are charged in connection with the seizure. On 28 April 2026, at Letterkenny District Court, Judge Emile Daly returned the McGinty brothers for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Doherty's case is due before Letterkenny District Court on May 25.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Officers seized about 112kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €2.2 million.
Where
The drugs were seized at a premises in the Ballybofey area, County Donegal.
When
  • The seizure took place in April 2025, and the article gives no exact date.
  • The conspiracy charges cover the period from December 5, 2024 to April 1, 2025.
Investigation
The operation was carried out by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit and Revenue's Customs Service.
Charges
  • Patrick McGinty and Christopher Doherty are charged with conspiracy to commit offences.
  • Patrick McGinty and Michael McGinty are charged with unlawfully importing drugs.
  • The McGinty brothers are charged with having cannabis for sale or supply, with a market value of €13,000 or more.
In court
  • On 28 April 2026, Judge Emile Daly returned Michael McGinty and Patrick McGinty to Letterkenny Circuit Court for trial.
  • Michael McGinty faces two charges before the Circuit Court, and Patrick McGinty faces three.
  • A section 56 order in respect of interviews was made, and each man was given an alibi warning.
  • Doherty's case is due before Letterkenny District Court on May 25.
Other details
  • Michael McGinty's solicitor said he had indicated he was innocent of the charges.
  • Doherty's solicitor said the book of evidence was inadequate given the complexity of the charge.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRevenue officers seized about 112kgs of herbal cannabis valued at an estimated €2.2 million. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were seized at a premises in the Ballybofey area. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was carried out by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit and Revenue's Customs Service. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargePatrick McGinty and Christopher Doherty are charged with conspiracy to commit offences. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargePatrick McGinty and Michael McGinty face charges of unlawfully importing drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe conspiracy charges cover the period between December 5, 2024 and April 1, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe brothers are charged with having cannabis for sale or supply, with a market value of €13,000 or more. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Emile Daly returned Michael McGinty and Patrick McGinty to Letterkenny Circuit Court for trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMichael McGinty faces two charges before the Circuit Court and Patrick McGinty faces three. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtA section 56 order in respect of interviews was made, and an alibi warning was given to each man. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtDoherty's case is due before Letterkenny District Court on May 25. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMichael McGinty's solicitor said he had indicated he was innocent of the charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDoherty's solicitor said the book of evidence was inadequate given the complexity of the charge. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Apr2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal trio to go before Circuit Court over €2.2m Ballybofey drugs find

    Court appearance reporting the return for trial of three accused over the seizure, with charge details and the date of Doherty's next District Court appearance. The seizure itself took place in April 2025, but the article gives no exact date for it.

    accused, Patrick McGinty, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McGintyaccused, Michael McGinty, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McGintyaccused, Christopher Doherty, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Doherty