A FORMER RYANAIR pilot replied “absolutely not guilty” in response to a new charge in connection with a Garda seizure of an estimated €10 million worth of drugs, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court today, Detective Garda Adrian Cahill of Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Brendan O’Mara (62) of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare on the new drugs charge.

Cahill said that after charge and caution before Ennis District Court, O’Mara replied “absolutely no guilty”.

In the new charge, O’Mara is charged that on 7 May at An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, he did have in his possession cannabis for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying the drug to another.

The alleged offence stated that at the time, the drug in O’Mara’s possession had a market value of €13,000 or more, contrary to Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

O’Mara was already before the court concerning the estimated €10 million drugs seizure where he faced two charges – possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on 7 May.

However, the new charge is more serious as on conviction, an offence under Section 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years.

A judge has the discretion to impose a lesser sentence in certain circumstances, and only a very small portion of those convicted of Section 15(a) drug dealing offences do receive the 10 years in prison in the criminal courts.

O’Mara was first charged at a special sitting of Ennis District Court on 10 May. He remained almost three months in custody on remand before securing bail at the Court of Appeal at the end of July.

The Court of Appeal ruling overturned a High Court bail refusal and bail was granted with conditions that O’Mara provide an independent surety of €150,000, as well as his own bond of €70,000, €35,000 of which is to be lodged.

As part of his bail conditions, O’Mara has also undertaken not to leave the jurisdiction; surrender his passport and all pilot’s licences; that he must give an undertaking not to attend at any airfield and that he must reside at his family home in Co Clare.

Sgt John Burke told Ennis District Court today that the case could be adjourned for two weeks for the service of a book of evidence on 19 November.

O’Mara was further remanded on bail to that date.