BREAKING: Prison officer charged with drugs offences at special court sitting in Limerick
The accused was granted bail subject to a number of conditions
A PRISON officer has been charged with drugs offences at a special sitting of Newcastle West District Court this Saturday evening.
Garda Laura Lyons gave evidence of arresting the accused on Thursday afternoon on the Childers Road in Limerick city.
Garda Lyons said the male prison officer was charged in the cell area of a garda station at 9.40pm on Friday night.
"He made no reply to the charges after caution," said Garda Lyons.
The prison officer is charged with possession of a controlled drug, suspected to be cannabis, under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and possession of drugs, understood to be cannabis, for sale and supply under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Inspector Padraigh Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the State, said there was no objection to bail subject to a number of conditions.
Insp Sutton made an application to Judge Carol Anne Coolican that the address of the defendant - Pat Hurley, aged 38 - would not be published by media as "he is a prison officer".
Insp Sutton made a further application that the media not report the name of the garda station where Mr Hurley must sign on three times a week.
Judge Coolican granted these applications.
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Insp Sutton said gardai were in possession of Mr Hurley's passport. The other bail conditions are that Mr Hurley reside at the address given to gardai and be of sober habits in public.
Mr Hurley, who was wearing a red hoodie and navy trousers, was represented by John Herbert, solicitor, during the short procedural matter.
Judge Coolican remanded Mr Hurley on bail on his own bond of €100. The judge adjourned matters until December in Limerick District Court in Mulgrave Street in the city.