'Oh no. Please, I beg of you': Limerick mum in court charged with €644k drug seizure

A SINGLE mother-of-three has been refused bail after being charged in connection with a large cocaine and heroin seizure in Limerick city.

Karen McGarry, aged 48, of Glendale Lawn, Old Singland Road, appeared before Judge Valerie Corcoran at a special sitting of Limerick District Court to make a bail application.

Garda Colm McHugh gave evidence of her arrest, charge and caution.

It was heard at the special sitting that gardaí attached to the Limerick Divisional Drug Unit seized suspected cocaine and diamorphine, also known as heroin, to the estimated street value of approximately €644,000 at her residence on Wednesday evening of this week.

This Friday, Ms McGarry was charged with two offences, to which she made no reply.

Garda McHugh told the judge it was his belief that if bail was to be granted, the accused may commit further offences.

It was outlined that cocaine with an estimated street value of €490,000 and heroin with an estimated street value of €154,000 were found when a council home was subject to a search warrant. Ms McGarry was the main tenant.

The court heard that most of the drugs were found in a shed, located to the rear of the home.

However, it was alleged that €12,000 worth of cocaine was also found “at hand” under the 48-year-old’s bed.

Following her arrest, the accused was interviewed five times and made certain admissions that she was allegedly storing these drugs for unnamed individuals.

Judge Corcoran heard that more charges are to be anticipated and preferred. A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

It was Garda McHugh’s belief that a lengthy sentence would be imposed if convicted due to the “very serious offences” Ms McGarry is accused of as well as the strength of the evidence against her.

Limerick District Court was informed that the mother-of-three’s phone was seized and that content on this showed she was allegedly “trusted” to carry out these endeavours.

A kilo of cocaine, worth about €100,000, was sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, which confirmed that this was the substance.

During questioning, Ms McGarry gave a “very vague story” as to how she ended up in this situation.

As well as this, Garda Colm McHugh said it was his view that the accused woman seems to live a “lavish lifestyle” despite having no job. It was his belief that if granted bail, she may attempt to flee the jurisdiction.

Gardai do have Ms McGarry’s passport in their possession but their concerns were not alleviated as they think she may have access to vast amounts of cash.

In summary, Garda McHugh said he does not believe the accused woman would abide by any bail conditions imposed.

Karen McGarry is charged with Section 15 Misuse of Drugs Act and Section 3 Misuse of Drugs Act.

Acting on behalf of the accused, Solicitor Cathal Quirke said his client would not flee, considering she is a single mother of three children and comes from a “respected” family.

He put to the court that Ms McGarry struggles with health difficulties and even required medical attention during her time in custody.

In a submission to Judge Corcoran, Mr Quirke said this could be the case of “drug intimidation that is rampant in society” and that his client would abide by any conditions imposed.

The solicitor stated that more time in custody “will have life-changing consequences for her and her family.”

Taking into account the seriousness of the charges at hand, Judge Valerie Corcoran reminded the District Court that the accused woman did make certain admissions but that Ms McGarry is innocent unless proven guilty.

However, the judge accepted that Garda Colm McHugh’s evidence was “well-founded” and decided to oppose Karen McGarry’s bail application.

The mother-of-three wept as the ruling was handed down, saying to the judge: “Oh no. Please, I beg of you.”

She will next appear before Limerick District Court on November 3, from custody.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.