Saturday 31 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. 20645Drugs offence (cannabis cultivation) · Co. Galway

Three released after DPP directs no prosecution over Kilcolgan cannabis grow house

On December 5, gardaí swarmed a premises at The Ranch in Newtown, Kilcolgan, County Galway, where they allegedly found a cannabis grow house with plants valued at about €950,000 (one article says nearly €1m). Vietnamese nationals Hai Ba Dau, 34, Minh Ba Dau, 39, and Vo Thanh Sen, 44, were arrested at the scene and charged with cannabis cultivation and possession, and were brought before Galway District Court in the first week of December. The three spent a total of 190 days on remand and appeared in court 15 times, mainly by videolink from prison, while their solicitor said they were victims of human trafficking. In June 2023 the DPP directed that no further prosecution should proceed, and the three were released after being told at Ennis District Court that they were free to go.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized cannabis plants valued at about €950,000, although one article says nearly €1m.
Where
The alleged cannabis grow house was at The Ranch in Newtown, Kilcolgan, County Galway.
When
Gardaí swarmed the premises on December 5 at around 3.30pm; the year is not given.
Investigation
Officers reported finding a sophisticated growhouse operation during the search.
Charges
Hai Ba Dau, Minh Ba Dau and Vo Thanh Sen were each arrested at the scene and charged with cannabis cultivation and cannabis possession.
In court
  • The three were brought before Galway District Court in the first week of December.
  • The three appeared in court 15 times, mainly by videolink from prison.
  • In June 2023 the DPP directed that no further prosecution should proceed.
Other details
  • The three spent a total of 190 days on remand in custody.
  • The solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said the three were victims of human trafficking.
  • The three were released after being told at Ennis District Court that they were free to go.
  • The three are Vietnamese nationals, aged 34, 39 and 44.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized cannabis plants valued at about €950,000. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereThe alleged cannabis grow house was at The Ranch in Newtown, Kilcolgan. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenGardaí swarmed the premises on December 5 at around 3.30pm. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationOfficers found a sophisticated growhouse operation during the search. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • chargeEach of the three was arrested at the scene and faced a cannabis cultivation and cannabis possession charge. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtThe three appeared in court 15 times, mainly by videolink from prison. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that no further prosecution should proceed. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtThe three were told at Ennis District Court that they were free to go. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe three spent a total of 190 days on remand in custody. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe three were released from custody after facing the court. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the three were victims of human trafficking. (galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jun2023
    Othergalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Galway trio arrested in drug sting released after DPP direction

    Reports the DPP's direction that no prosecution proceed, the release of the three accused at Ennis District Court, 190 days on remand, and the solicitor's claim they were trafficking victims. The article gives December 5 without a year, so the incident date is left empty.

    accused, Hai Ba Dau, 34, Vietnamese, named, non-irishHai Ba Dauaccused, Minh Ba Dau, 39, Vietnamese, named, non-irishMinh Ba Dauaccused, Vo Thanh Sen, 44, Vietnamese, named, non-irishVo Thanh Sen