Wednesday 28 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. 2047Possession of controlled drugs (cannabis, heroin) for sale or supply · Co. Meath · 20 Mar 2025

Three men remanded after €301,000 in drugs found at Clonee, Co Meath

Shane Flynn (45), Alan Daly (47) and Daniel Harkin (37) were remanded in custody at Dublin District Court after Gardaí found them at a kitchen table beside approximately €301,160 worth of cannabis and heroin at a property in Clonee, Co Meath, on 20 March 2025. A fourth man arrested during the operation remains in Garda custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Mar
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAndrew Byrne pleaded guilty to two offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatWest Highland Terrier Delboy was found by a member of the public in extremely poor condition. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog was microchipped and registered to Mr Byrne. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatVets gave the dog a body condition score of only 1/9. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog was emaciated with prominent ribs and bones showing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog had an extremely bad untreated yeast infection with large areas of hairless skin all over his body and tail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog had a chronic untreated ear infection. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog was struggling to walk and was falling over. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA vet said the dog would have died if not brought in by a member of the public. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog developed the skin condition almost four years before the court hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog had not been to the vet since May 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe dog had lost 20% of his body weight since May 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAround Christmas 2023 the dog deteriorated and became incontinent. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGardaí discovered a group of men sitting at a kitchen table beside about €300,000 worth of drugs (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCannabis herb worth €240,000 was recovered (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHeroin worth €50,960 was recovered (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCannabis worth €4,800 was recovered (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA vacuum-sealing and bagging machine was recovered (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe drugs were packaged or in cardboard boxes (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFlynn allegedly told gardaí he visited a man at the address to help him with health problems (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe search was conducted at Back-gate Lodge, at Hilltown Stud, Clonee, Co Meath (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe three men were arrested in Co Meath on Thursday (20 March 2025) (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMr Byrne feared the dog would be euthanised if brought to the vet. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInspector James McCormack responded when the ISPCA was alerted. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrests were made by gardaí from the Dublin Crime Response Team (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA fourth man arrested during the operation remains in Garda custody (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHarkin faces an additional charge for possessing illegal alprazolam tablets worth €1,500 at his home address (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was sentenced at Navan District Court on 15 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Michèle Finan granted bail with independent sureties: €40,000 for Flynn, €12,000 for Daly and €1,000 for Harkin (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men were remanded in custody to appear again on 27 March 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBail conditions include staying out of Clonee, refraining from associating with or contacting each other, remaining contactable by phone and signing regularly at a Garda station (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFurther charges could be brought and gardaí must seek directions from the DPP (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Erin McKiernan imposed 50 hours of community service instead of one month of imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge declined a request to make an Order of Disqualification. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Mar2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Gardaí found men at kitchen table next to €300,000 worth of drugs

    First court appearance of three men arrested after a search at Back-gate Lodge, Clonee, Co Meath, revealed cannabis herb, heroin and cannabis vapes/confectioneries worth a combined €301,160, along with a vacuum-sealing and bagging machine. Bail was granted but the men were remanded pending bail being taken up, with a return date of 27 March 2025.

    suspect, Shane Flynn, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Flynnsuspect, Alan Daly, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Dalysuspect, Daniel Harkin, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Harkin
  2. 20 Mar2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man sentenced to community service after his dog was found 'emaciated'

    Reports the sentencing of Andrew Byrne to 50 hours of community service for two animal welfare offences relating to his emaciated West Highland Terrier Delboy, including details of the dog's condition, the ISPCA's involvement, and the judge's reasoning.

    suspect, Andrew Byrne, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Andrew Byrne