Authorities in Dublin on Thursday seized cannabis plants worth 19,500 Euros and arrested the director of Keogh’s Crisps, one of Ireland’s most famous crisp companies. The seizure, conducted by the DMR North Crime Taskforce, took place at 8.30 PM at an address in Newtown Lane, Oldtown, Co Dublin.
Tony Keogh, 64, was taken to Ballymun Garda Station where he was interrogated and later charged by Sgt Michael Higgins at 2.20 PM yesterday.
Three charges
Keogh faced 3 charges under Section 3, 15, and 17 of the misuse of drugs act, which included possession of drugs for unlawful sale or supply and cultivation of a cannabis plant. He didn’t reply to the charges and was given a true copy of the charge sheet.
The suspect was then released on bail with certain conditions. He is expected to sign on every Wednesday and Saturday at Swords Gardia Station. He was ordered to surrender his passport within 24 hours, notify gardai of any change of his address, and provide gardai with a mobile contact number.
Judge Anthony Halpin set Keogh’s bail at 200 Euros and the accused was asked to appear before the court again on November 9. Sharing some of the pictures of the seizure on social media, the authorities said:
Gardai seized approximately €19,500 of cannabis plants, pending analysis, and arrested one man during the course of search operation on Thursday, 9th July 2020, at a location in North Dublin.
Mr. Keogh is a member of the family that runs the Keogh’s Crisps Company from their farm in north county, Dublin.
Can you grow cannabis in Ireland?
Recreational cannabis is illegal in Ireland, despite the fact that marijuana seeds are openly found in the country. Besides, it’s illegal to grow your own cannabis and no one can sell the substance. Cannabis cultivation equipment is also banned in the country, in line with the Psychoactive Substances Act.
However, many Irish people still attempt to grow cannabis and figures show that incidences of homegrown cannabis are on the rise. On the other hand, the government has remained liberal regarding medical cannabis and CBD, both of which are legalized in Ireland. The country is also benefiting from the economic opportunities created by industrial hemp.
With the push for cannabis legalization gaining momentum across the world, it remains a wait-and-see scenario as to whether countries like Ireland will soon soften their hardline stance on recreational cannabis.
Can you grow cannabis in Ireland?
Recreational cannabis is illegal in Ireland, despite the fact that marijuana seeds are openly found in the country. Growing your own cannabis plants is illegal. Cannabis cultivation equipment is also banned in the country, in line with the Psychoactive Substances Act.
