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. 6063Drug trafficking (heroin) · Co. Dublin · 1 Dec 2023

Two men sent forward for trial over €8m heroin seizure at Weston Airport

Gardaí from the GNDOCB and Revenue monitored a light aircraft and intercepted a vehicle, and on 1 December 2023 two men were arrested after an estimated 60kg of heroin, valued at about €8m, was allegedly found on the plane at Weston Airport, Co Dublin. The suspects are Aradi Ignac, 49, of Kecskemet, Hungary, and Zoltan Nemeth, 62, of Sukosd, Hungary, the alleged pilot. They were initially charged with unlawful possession of heroin and possession with intent to supply, and later with possessing drugs worth €13,000 or more and enhancing organised crime, with Ignac also charged with money laundering over €3,720 in alleged proceeds. They were remanded in custody, granted legal aid, and in April 2024 Judge John O'Leary sent them forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; the latest development is that Nemeth has been granted High Court bail, which he has yet to take up.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
An estimated 60kg of heroin was allegedly found on the plane, with a value of about €8m.
Where
The heroin was allegedly flown into Weston Airport in Co Dublin.
When
The two men were arrested on 1 December 2023.
Investigation
The GNDOCB and Revenue monitored a light aircraft and intercepted a vehicle as part of the investigation.
Charges
  • Both men were initially charged with unlawful possession of heroin and possession with intent to supply at Weston Airport.
  • Both men were later charged with possessing drugs worth €13,000 or more and enhancing organised crime.
  • Ignac was also charged with money laundering for possessing over €3,720 in alleged crime proceeds.
In court
  • The men were remanded in custody and appeared at Cloverhill District Court, where legal aid was granted.
  • The District Court said it could not consider bail for the organised crime offence, which required a High Court application.
  • The DPP directed trial in the Circuit Court, and Judge John O'Leary sent the men forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in April 2024.
Other details
  • Ignac said he took the drugs because he was forced to, for his family's safety.
  • Nemeth said he was told the material was special metal for making microchips and that he never used drugs.
  • Nemeth has been granted High Court bail, which he has yet to take up.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAn estimated 60kg of heroin was allegedly found on the plane. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAn estimated 60kg of heroin was allegedly found in the plane. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe heroin was allegedly flown into Weston Airport in Co Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe heroin was allegedly flown into Weston Airport in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe two men were arrested on 1 December. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenTwo men were arrested on December 1. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe GNDOCB and Revenue monitored a light aircraft and intercepted a vehicle as part of the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe GNDOCB and Revenue monitored a light aircraft and intercepted a vehicle as part of an investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe men were initially charged with unlawful possession of heroin and possessing it with intent to supply. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe men were later charged with possessing drugs worth 13,000 euro or more. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDetectives charged both men with an additional offence of enhancing organised crime. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeIgnac was also charged with money laundering for possessing over 3,720 euro in alleged crime proceeds. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe men were initially charged with unlawful possession of heroin and possessing the seizure with intent to supply at Weston Airport. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe men were later charged with possessing drugs worth €13,000 or more. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe men were also charged with enhancing organised crime. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAradi Ignac also faces a money laundering charge for possessing over €3,720 in alleged crime proceeds. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe District Court said it could not consider bail for the organised crime offence, which required a High Court application. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe men were granted legal aid and remanded in custody to appear again the following week. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed trial in the Circuit Court, and a book of evidence must be completed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe men were remanded in custody and appeared at Cloverhill District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge John O'Leary sent the men forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIgnac said he took the drugs because he was forced to, for his family's safety. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNemeth said he was told the material was special metal for making microchips and that he never used drugs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLegal aid, including senior counsel, was granted due to the seriousness of the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherZoltan Nemeth has been granted High Court bail, which he has yet to take up. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Two charged over heroin allegedly flown into Dublin sent forward for trial

    Reports that the two accused were sent forward for trial, that legal aid was granted, that Hungarian translations of the books of evidence were ordered, and that one accused has been granted High Court bail. Adds the court stage and the additional charges.

    accused, Aradi Ignac, 49, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Aradi Ignacaccused, Zoltan Nemeth, 62, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zoltan Nemeth
  2. 29 Mar2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Men charged over airport heroin seizure accused of 'enhancing'' organised crime

    Adds the further charge of enhancing organised crime for both men, a money laundering charge for Ignac, remand in custody, and the DPP's direction for trial in the Circuit Court.

    accused, Aradi Ignac, 49, male, namedAradi Ignacaccused, Zoltan Nemeth, 62, male, namedZoltan Nemeth