Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle drugs into a prison using a drone, following a surveillance operation by Irish police.
The accused, 25-year-old Craig Doyle of Paddocks Way, Adamstown, Lucan, and 30-year-old Adam Aspel of Corkagh Grange Way, Clondalkin, were detained by Garda Síochána officers monitoring suspected drone activity on March 28.
Both men appeared before the Dublin District Court on Monday, where Judge Treasa Kelly granted bail subject to strict conditions, including a prohibition on any form of drone usage.
The pair face multiple charges, including unlawful possession of controlled substances—namely cannabis, heroin, and tablets with an estimated street value of €6,422—as well as conveying drugs into a prison facility. They are also accused of using a drone to transport contraband into Cloverhill Prison in west Dublin.
During the hearing, Garda Kevin Duff testified that officers had been conducting surveillance in the Collinstown Park area, near Cloverhill and Wheatfield prisons, when they observed suspicious activity involving two individuals. He alleged that one of the accused, Mr Aspel, moved behind a hedge and fled, appearing to evade police.
Authorities recovered drugs from the ground, along with additional substances located near a drone and its controller concealed in a hedge. Garda Duff noted that the drone appeared to have been recently activated, as indicated by its illuminated lights.
Under cross-examination by defence solicitor Donal Quigley, the officer acknowledged that he did not witness Mr Aspel discarding any items. The defence argued that the evidence was circumstantial, asserting that Mr Aspel was merely present in a nearby field and denied all allegations.
Judge Kelly ruled that bail could be granted with stringent conditions. Both men are required to avoid proximity to the prison facilities, remain contactable by phone, and refrain entirely from drone-related activities.
Counsel for Mr Doyle, Colleen Gildernew, informed the court that additional time would be needed to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and to complete forensic analysis of the seized substances.
The case against Mr Doyle has been adjourned until September, while his co-accused is scheduled to reappear before the court on Tuesday.
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