A man accused of trying to import over €18,000 worth of drugs to the post office in Tralee, can take up bail if he abides by strict conditions from the district court.
23-year-old Haroon Ibrahim, who gave his address as 14 Manor Park, Tralee, appeared in Tralee District Court this morning on the single charge.
The court heard that Mr Ibrahim was first arrested after a sting operation by gardaí at a Tralee post office over two years ago.
Mr Ibrahim faces one count; that he imported €18,240 worth of cannabis at the Edward Street post office in Tralee on 24th July 2023.
The court was told this charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison on conviction.
The state objected to bail, mainly due to their concerns that he is a flight risk and would not turn up to court to face the charge.
Garda Neil O’Sullivan said Mr Ibrahim initially attempted to evade gardaí by running away from them at the post office in July 2023.
Garda O’Sullivan said gardaí strongly believe that Mr Ibrahim, an Afghan national, is a flight risk given the seriousness of the charge he now faces and the likelihood of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
He said he is concerned that Mr Ibrahim is using two names, and he needs to verify the address provided.
Garda O’Sullivan told the court gardaí believe Mr Ibrahim has the personal and financial means to flee the jurisdiction beyond the reach of An Garda Síochána.
Solicitor Brendan Ahern said this allegation is from two and a half years ago, and Garda O’Sullivan agreed there was no attempt by Mr Ibrahim to flee the jurisdiction since his initial arrest.
He said his client made no admissions during questioning, and enjoys the presumption of innocence.
Mr Ahern said his client’s name changed when he was 18 by his parents for religious reasons, and that he has lived in Ireland since he was 12 years old and has family ties here.
He said if his client was going to leave the jurisdiction, he would have done so by now.
Mr Ahern told the court his client is in full-time employment in Tralee.
Judge David Waters said he has serious concerns Mr Ibrahim would leave the jurisdiction, but remanded him in custody with consent to bail, set on his own bond of €15,000.
To take up bail he must lodge €5,000 in cash, and a third party must come to court to show they have another €10,000 in a bank account, which will be taken if Mr Ibrahim does not show up in court.
He must also reside at an address approved by gardaí, abide by a curfew, and sign on daily at Tralee garda station, but Judge Waters did not include any condition relating to the surrendering of his passport, despite the gardaí’s flight risk concerns.
