Sunday 1 November 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. 0887Drug-related offences (organised crime investigation) · Co. Laois

Two men sent to Portlaoise Circuit Court on organised crime charges

Jake Deegan, 32 (reports differ: 33), a man from Wolfhill, Co Laois, and Michael Hand, 32, a man from Graiguecullen, are accused of conspiring to possess drugs for sale or supply and money laundering as part of an organised crime investigation targeting drug distribution across Laois, Offaly, Carlow and Kildare since February 2025. Deegan was arrested and charged on 4 June 2026 and remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison. On 1 October 2026, both men appeared before Portlaoise District Court where an 800-page book of evidence was served and legal aid for a solicitor and three counsel was granted to each. Judge Andrew Gubbins remanded both on bail and sent them forward to Portlaoise Circuit Court on 27 October 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged4 Jun
  4. In court4 Jun
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two men are accused of conspiring to possess drugs for sale or supply and money laundering as part of an organised crime investigation.
Where
The investigation concerns the sale and distribution of drugs across Laois, Offaly, Carlow and Kildare.
When
The charges relate to offences between February and August 2023; the investigation has been ongoing since February 2025.
Investigation
The Laois Offaly Divisional Crime and Drugs Units have been targeting the group since February 2025.
Charges
  • Jake Deegan is accused of conspiring with persons unknown to possess controlled drugs for sale or supply between 16 February and 2 August 2023.
  • Deegan is accused of money laundering between 1 April and 3 July 2023 and of money laundering €24,015 in cash at Slatt Upper, Wolfhill on 1 August 2023.
  • Michael Hand is accused of conspiring with Deegan to possess drugs for sale or supply between 16 and 24 February 2023.
In court
  • Deegan was arrested and charged on 4 June 2026 and remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison by Judge Susan Fay.
  • On 1 October 2026, both men appeared before Portlaoise District Court where an 800-page book of evidence was served and legal aid for a solicitor and three counsel was granted to each.
  • Judge Andrew Gubbins remanded both on bail and sent them to Portlaoise Circuit Court on 27 October 2026.
Other details
The book of evidence is 800 pages.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe was arrested and charged on the morning of 4 June 2026 as part of investigations into a Leinster-based organised crime group. (garda.ie)
  • whatA 32-year-old man appeared before Portlaoise District Court as part of ongoing investigations into an organised crime group. (rte.ie)
  • whatAccused of conspiring with persons unknown to possess drugs for sale. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe man is Jake Deegan of Slatt Lower, Wolfhill, Ballylinan, Co Laois. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe investigation concerns the sale and distribution of drugs across Laois, Offaly, Kildare and Carlow. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe charges follow an extensive investigation by the Laois Offaly Divisional Crime and Drugs Units. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation has been targeting the sale and distribution of drugs and related criminal activity across Laois, Offaly, Carlow and Kildare since February 2025. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationA detective garda gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution. (rte.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda David Montgomery arrested the accused by appointment at Abbeyleix Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Sergeant Jason Hughes said there were three counts in the book of evidence for Deegan, including two money laundering charges and a conspiracy charge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with money laundering on dates between 1 April and 3 July 2023. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with conspiring with persons unknown to possess controlled drugs for sale or supply between 16 February and 2 August 2023. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe faces a further money laundering charge relating to Slatt Upper, Wolfhill, Ballylinan on 1 August 2023. (rte.ie)
  • chargeFurther charged with money laundering at a place unknown between April 1 and July 3, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeCharged with money laundering a sum of €24,015 in cash at Slatt Upper on August 1, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeJake Deegan is accused of conspiring to possess drugs for sale or supply between 16 February and 2 August 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeDeegan is also accused of money laundering between 1 April and 3 July 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeDeegan is accused of money laundering €24,015 at Slatt Upper, Wolfhill. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMichael Hand is accused of conspiring with Deegan to possess drugs for sale or supply between 16 and 24 February 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before Portlaoise District Court on 4 June 2026. (garda.ie)
  • courtWhen cautioned, he made no reply to each charge. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Prosecutions directed that the case proceed on indictment. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded him in custody to Cloverhill Prison, to appear again before Portlaoise District Court on 11 June. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was directed to proceed on indictment. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtLegal aid for a solicitor and three counsel was granted to each accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Gubbins remanded both defendants on bail under the same conditions as set out in the High Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtBoth defendants were sent forward to the next sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Court on 27 October. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay remanded the accused in custody to appear before Portlaoise District Court on June 11. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherBail could only be secured in the High Court, and the accused was cautioned on each charge and made no reply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe book of evidence is 800 pages. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Oct2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Men appear in court facing organised crime charges in Laois

    Books of evidence served on both accused; legal aid for a solicitor and three counsel granted to each; 800-page book of evidence; both remanded on bail and sent to Portlaoise Circuit Court on 27 October 2026.

    accused, Jake Deegan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Deeganaccused, Michael Hand, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Hand
  2. 5 Jun2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, its first report
    Laois man in court in connection with organised crime investigation

    First report of this case. It names the accused and gives the charges, which relate to 2023 dates, the arresting detective, and the remand details. It is not the same case as the eight-person Operation Tara court case (9955-series list entry 8955), which involves different people and a June 2026 arrest.

    accused, Jake Deegan, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Deegan
  3. 4 Jun2026
    In courtrte.ie, its first report
    Man, 32, appears before court on money laundering charges

    First report of the court appearance of Jake Deegan on 4 June 2026, charged with money laundering and drug conspiracy offences dated 2023, and remanded in custody.

    accused, Jake Deegan, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Deegan
  4. 4 Jun2026
    Chargedgarda.ie, first report
    04/06/2026 Court Appearance – Operation Tara – Male Charge in Connection with Organised Crime Investigation – 4th June 2026

    Garda press release announcing a court appearance in connection with an organised crime drug investigation spanning multiple Leinster counties.

    suspect, 30s, male