Man appears in court following seizure of cannabis and firearms

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of more than 750,000 euros worth of cannabis, following a garda operation in which two “military-grade” assault rifles were also uncovered.

Andrew McNaughton, aged 51, with an address at Jordanstown, Oldtown, Co Dublin, told Dublin District Court on Thursday that he was not aware there were any firearms stored in a van locked inside a shed on his property.

Mr McNaughton appeared in court charged with drug possession and intent to supply.

Garda Brian O’Carroll told the court he believed the accused was an “essential cog” in the operations of an organised crime group.

He explained that gardai from the Dublin Crime Response Team had searched a property under warrant on Tuesday and uncovered a Nissan Primastar van containing 38.5kg of cannabis worth 772,000 euros, along with what is suspected to be 70g of cocaine worth roughly 4,900 euros.

He said two assault rifles that are commonly used by militaries and special forces units were also found inside the van, namely a Heckler & Koch HK416 and Colt M16A1.

The M16A1 was loaded with 22 rounds of live ammo while HK416 was loaded with 15 rounds of live ammo, and a further 98 rounds of mixed calibre ammo was also uncovered.

Garda O’Carroll said both firearms were capable of “inflicting significant harm”.

He said the accused had been charged with the drug offences on Wednesday.

Mr McNaughton was not charged in relation to the firearms or the suspected cocaine.

Further charges may be issued at a later date.

Garda O’Carroll objected to bail over a fear that Mr McNaughton would not attend his next hearing and may commit further offences while not in custody.

He also objected based on the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the evidence and the significant custodial sentence which would be likely upon conviction – which he said may influence the accused to not attend his next hearing.

Garda O’Carroll said Mr McNaughton was the sole resident of the property where the drugs were found.

He said the van was not registered to the accused but appeared to have been in his possession “for a long time”.

He said there was substantial evidence against the accused, who he said had direct access and full control to a large amount of drugs and firearms as he had the key to the shed.

Garda O’Carroll alleged that the accused was an “essential cog” for an organised crime group who had enhanced its capabilities by concealing assault rifles and controlled drugs, which he said was the lifeblood of crime.

He said Mr McNaughton was engaged in activities critical to the success of a distribution network.

“I believe he is in an integral part, rather than a facilitator or just a patsy.”

The garda also told the court that Mr McNaughton was a habitual alcohol and occasional cannabis user.

Giving evidence directly to the court under questioning from his barrister Paddy Flynn, Mr McNaughton said he would abide with any conditions imposed on him.

He told the court: “I have no intention of absconding.”

He also told the court he was willing to reside with his 82-year-old mother while on bail.

Mr McNaughton said he was not working at the moment and the court heard he had a back injury which prevented him from manual work.

The court was also told he had no other direct relatives.

Mr Flynn argued that the proceedings may not be heard until 2027 and the time in custody would cause particular grief and anxiety to both Mr McNaughton and his mother, who was reliant on him.

He also said Mr McNaughton had no previous convictions.

The judge, Ms Justice Patricia Conlon, said she was refusing bail after considering the serious nature of the charge, the nature of the evidence in support of the charge, and the weight of the possibility of a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years upon conviction.

Legal aid was granted with solicitor Martin O’Donnell appointed.

Mr McNaughton was remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison for a further hearing on September 4.

A follow-up search of a second premises in the DMR North resulted in the arrest of a second man, aged in his 30s, and the seizure of a further 5,000 euros worth of cannabis herb and a single round of ammunition.

He remained in garda custody on Thursday evening.