Crime « Thurles Information

Tipperary Man Appears In Court Following €8.1 Million Cocaine Seizure.

Tipperary man remanded, after €8.1 million cocaine seizure in Laois.

A 39-year-old man from Wood View, Boulick, Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, latter named in court as Mr Thomas Ryan, has been remanded in custody following a major seizure of suspected cocaine in Co. Laois.

Under the banner of Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau’s (GN-DOCB) Operation TARA, Gardaí carried out searches at a residential address, associated lands and a wooded area in Killnaseer, Rathdowney, on October 28th, 2025. The operation led to the seizure of approximately 116 kg of suspected cocaine, same with a street-value estimated at around €8.1 million, along with several electronic devices.

At his bail hearing on November 3rd last at Portlaoise District Court, defence counsel Mr Aonghus McCarthy argued that Ryan, latter a qualified carpenter with a two-decade working history, had strong community ties. His father, a 74-year-old farmer, offered a substantial surety.

However, Garda evidence, led by Mr Stephen Gillespie of GN-DOCB, strongly opposed bail. Gardaí claimed Mr Ryan had been identified as allegedly involved in the storage and distribution of drugs on behalf of an organised criminal group. They reported that two vehicles were seized from his address; one of which contained a “sophisticated motorised concealment.”

A search of a wooded area later, allegedly revealed the cocaine blocks, some bearing various markings and stamps, with one sample block, reportedly valued at €70,000, which has since tested positive for the drug cocaine.

According to court reports, Mr Ryan was interviewed six times at a Garda station following his arrest and is said to have made admissions relating to the storage and distribution of the drugs.

Prosecutors indicated the case will almost certainly proceed on indictment, and additional charges could follow.

Rejecting the bail application, Ms Justice Susan Fay remanded Mr Ryan in custody. The matter was adjourned to December 15th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP); with the accused most likely to appear by video link.

Gardaí Seize €55,000 Worth Of Suspected Cocaine & Cannabis In Co. Tipperary.

Gardaí seize €55,000 worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis in Cahir, Co. Tipperary raid, yesterday.

**Suspected Cocaine & Cannabis Seized in Cahir, Co. Tipperary Garda Raid, Yesterday**.

Gardaí, armed with a search warrent, carried out a search of a house in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, yesterday November 26th, resulting in the seizure of an estimated €55,000 of suspected cocaine and cannabis.

Officers also recovered more than €4,000 in cash and a substantial quantity of drug-dealing paraphernalia.

The operation involved the Tipperary South Divisional Drugs Unit, the Divisional Crime Task Force, the Garda Dog Unit and the Tipperary Central Community Policing Unit.

No arrests have as yet been reported at this time.

A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Coroner Issues Urgent Alert Over Rising Threat of Nitazene Opioids.

Dangerous ‘nitazene’ opioids are on the rise in Ireland and researchers are worried. Be aware!

An Ireland coroner has issued a grave warning regarding the escalating dangers posed by nitazenes, latter a ‘new to the market’ and a highly potent group of synthetic opioids, now increasingly linked to sudden deaths across the region.

The alert follows the inquest into the death of 33-year-old Portadown man, Mr Jay Woolsey, who died in August 2024. During the hearing, the coroner stressed that nitazenes are far stronger than previously understood, in some cases hundreds or even thousands of times more potent than morphine. Since late 2023, these substances have been entering the drug market in Ireland and at speed.

Authorities warn that the potency of nitazenes varies significantly, with some similar in strength to heroin while others far exceed the power of fentanyl. This inconsistency creates a dangerously high risk of accidental overdose. Compounding the threat, nitazenes have been identified in drugs typically seen as non-opioid substances, including MDMA, ketamine and benzodiazepines, thus placing unsuspecting users at severe risk.
Note: Fentanyl test strips do not detect nitazenes.

The physical effects mirror those of other opioids and can include:

Euphoria or a dreamlike state.
Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness.
Itchiness.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Slow or difficult breathing.
Blue lips or fingertips.
Cold, clammy skin‘
Pinpoint pupils.

To date, ten additional nitazene-related deaths have been recorded across the North of Ireland, many involving polydrug use. The coroner noted that families are often unaware that loved ones are sourcing dangerous substances online or via the dark web.

Public Health Agencies and police have reiterated serious concerns about nitazenes being mixed with heroin and other drugs, often without users’ knowledge, sharply increasing the potential for fatal overdose.

Public health agencies and support services are now being urged to take immediate action, including:

Strengthening early-warning systems and enhancing monitoring of emerging synthetic opioids, ensuring rapid information-sharing across health, Gardaí, justice and community sectors.
Improving multi-agency cooperation to enable fast, coordinated responses to overdose spikes and new drug threats.
Expanding rapid-access treatment options and ensuring families affected by overdose receive timely, appropriate support.
Issuing clear and consistent public alerts when nitazenes are detected and promoting practical harm-reduction guidance for drug users and their families.
Making nitazene test strips available through harm-reduction and outreach services to help identify contamination and prevent further deaths.

Authorities are urging communities to remain vigilant and to seek immediate medical help if signs of opioid overdose are present.

Public Warning Issued Over ‘Family Member’ Text Scam.

Public Warning Issued Over the old ‘Family Member’ Text Messaging Scam occurring in Co. Tipperary today.

Gardaí are warning members of the public to be on alert following an increase in fraudulent text messages, “See picture here on right”, same claiming to be from a son or daughter in need of assistance.

In these scams, recipients are urged to save a number and begin messaging, believing they are communicating with their child. The exchanges are designed to extract personal information and build trust. Before long, the victim is asked to send a small sum of money, typically around €20, with further attempts made to obtain additional funds and sensitive details.

Gardaí are advising the public that, if they receive any such message, they should block the number, report it, and not respond under any circumstances.

Former Tipperary Soldier Denies Murder Of Retired Army Captain.

A 67-year-old former Defence Forces member has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his long-time friend and retired army Captain, Mr Patrick O’Mahony, who was found shot dead at his home in Castlemaine, Co. Kerry, in February of 2024.

Mr Thomas Carroll, of Brookway, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, entered the plea at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick, where a jury of nine men and three women has been sworn in.

Opening the prosecution case, Mr Dean Kelly SC said Mr O’Mahony, aged 84, was a respected firearms dealer and former FCA and Defence Forces member, who retired as a Captain with an exemplary record. He had been widowed three months before his death.

The court heard that Mr Carroll, also a retired soldier with an excellent service record, travelled from Co. Tipperary to visit Mr O’Mahony for the weekend. The two men socialised together on the Friday and Saturday.

Mr Kelly said Mr Carroll contacted Mr O’Mahony’s son early on the Sunday morning claiming his father had suffered a fall. However, a post mortem later confirmed Mr O’Mahony died from a single close-range gunshot wound, thus prompting a murder investigation.

The prosecution alleges that events between the two friends “took a foul turn” and that Mr Carroll pointed a handgun at Mr O’Mahony with intent to kill or cause serious harm. It is further alleged that Mr Carroll’s account of a fall was “self-serving”.

The trial is ongoing.