Irish Revenue seizures exceed €1.2m ahead of Christmas – Midlands operations and major cannabis interception at Shannon
Revenue has confirmed seizures with a combined estimated value of more than €1.2 million in the lead-in to Christmas, including detections in the Midlands with a significant seizure at Shannon Airport in the Mid-West region (latter region which covers counties Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick.)
Contraband seized in Midlands-linked operations. Over the week commencing December 15th, 2025, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €455,500 during operations in Dublin, the Midlands and Rosslare Europort.
According to Revenue the seizures included:
11.6kg herbal cannabis (estimated value €232,458).
2.4kg butane honey oil (estimated value €48,000).
5kg cannabis resin (estimated value over €30,010).
Other illicit drugs (estimated value over €3,630).
Tobacco products (estimated value over €21,005).
344.68 litres of alcohol (estimated value almost €3,875).
282 counterfeit items (estimated value over €99,375).
€17,122.93 in cash and six weapons.
Revenue said the herbal cannabis and other drug detections were made following risk profiling, assisted by detector dogs Ciara and Sam, with parcels originating from the USA, UK, Thailand, India, Spain and France.
A record total of 2,050 people have appeared before Irish district courts for drug-driving offences in the first 10 months of 2025(January to October). This marks the highest level on record for drug-driving prosecutions in Ireland’s district court system. Here in Co. Tipperary, Nenagh District Court in the north of the county, saw a 155% increase in drug-driving cases in the same first 10 months of 2025, compared to the same period in the previous year.
Cannabis worth €760,000 seized at Shannon Airport. Separately, a further seizure was reported at Shannon Airport, where Revenue Customs officers seized 38kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €760,000, assisted by detector dogs Brody and Gus. The drugs were found in shipments originating from the USA and were destined for addresses in the South and Mid-West area. (Note: Reports do not specify individual county destinations)
Ongoing investigations and public appeal:
Revenue have stated that further investigations into the seizures are ongoing and reiterate that the operations form part of its ongoing work targeting smuggling, illegal drugs and shadow economy activity.
Anyone with information regarding smuggling can contact Revenue in strictest confidence TEL: 1800 295 295.
Government approves publication of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025.
The Government has approved the publication of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, a wide-ranging package of reforms designed to address urgent pressures across the justice system and deliver key Programme for Government commitments.
The Bill will, among other measures, criminalise “sex for rent” arrangements; strengthen protections for victims in sexual offence trials; support responses to prison overcrowding and violence, and modernise aspects of forensic and court procedures.
Key measures in the Bill
Criminalise the exploitative practice commonly known as “sex for rent”.
Reform the disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials.
Expand the use of community service as an alternative to short custodial sentences.
Remove the legal barrier to the regulated use of incapacitant spray by prison officers.
Enable more advanced DNA analysis in missing and unknown persons cases.
Facilitate bail and suspended sentence bonds being taken in custody settings.
Put regulated outdoor seating for licensed premises on a permanent statutory footing.
Allow the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other judges.
Tackling exploitation: new “sex for rent” offences.
The Bill introduces two specific criminal offences:
Offering accommodation in exchange for sexual activity.
Advertising accommodation in exchange for sexual activity.
These provisions cover both landlord–tenant arrangements and rent-a-room situations. The offences focus on the offer or advertisement itself; there is no requirement to prove that sexual activity occurred. The proposed penalty is a Class A fine of up to €5,000.
Protecting victims: counselling records in sexual offence trials The Bill will amend the law on the disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials by requiring a disclosure hearing in all cases, ensuring judicial oversight and that the privacy rights of victims and survivors are fully considered.
Responding to prison overcrowding and violence: Community service in lieu of custody.
To support non-custodial sentencing, the Bill will:
Require courts to consider a community service order (CSO) as an alternative to prison sentences of up to 24 months (currently 12 months)
Require courts to give reasons where a CSO is not imposed
Increase the maximum community service hours from 240 to 480
Incapacitant spray for prison officers
The Bill will also remove the legal barrier to the use of incapacitant spray by prison officers, with use to be regulated under provisions made by the Minister through the Prison Rules. The Department has indicated these provisions are intended to be introduced by Committee Stage amendments.
Improving missing persons investigations: advanced DNA analysis. The Bill amends the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014 by inserting a new definition of “DNA profile” for missing and unknown persons cases. It also provides for more than one DNA profile to be generated from a relevant sample, to support more powerful identification techniques.
Modernising court processes, bail and suspended sentence bonds.
To better support remote/video-link participation in bail and sentencing hearings for people in custody, the Bill will:
Amend the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 to allow bail bonds to be entered before members of An Garda Síochána (where the person is in Garda custody)
Amend the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to allow suspended sentence bonds to be entered before prison governors (where the person is in custody)
These changes are intended to reduce the need for escorts to and from court and deliver time and cost efficiencies.
Civil law measures: outdoor seating for licensed premises: The Bill gives permanent effect to legal provisions for a regulated outdoor seating regime for licensed premises.
Judiciary: delegation of non-judicial functions: The Bill includes provisions to allow the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary.
Provisions not proceeding: Measures from the General Scheme relating to the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 are no longer proposed for inclusion in this Bill, as they have been provided for separately, under the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025.
Lyrics: American songwriter, author and guitarist Mark Elliott and late American country music songwriter Tim Johnson(1960–2012). Vocals: American country and bluegrass duo, husband-and-wife singer/songwriters Joey and Rory Feek.
Joey & Rory Feek.
This point of the song, sung hereunder, is simple: enjoy the presents, the lights and traditions, but don’t forget what Christmas is about celebrating Jesus Christ, latter born in humility in Bethlehem; laid in a manger; first welcomed by ordinary shepherds and later sought out by the Magi. “Remember me” is a reminder that the child of Christmas calls us to live with mercy and generosity, especially toward those with the least, not just to have a nicer-looking holiday.
Remember Me.
Remember Me
When you’re opening those presents, Underneath the Christmas tree, Remember me, When you’re setting out those cookies For Santa Claus to eat, Remember me. I was born in a manger, On a cold December night, With shepherds and three wise men, Underneath the stars so bright, The son of a lowly carpenter, From down in Galilee, Remember me. When you’re hangin’ up those Christmas lights, For the neighborhood to see, Remember me. When you’re gathered ’round the table, With all your family, Remember me. Cause I walked from town to town without, A place to lay my head, I even fed 5,000 with just a loaf of bread, And I helped the lame to walk again, I made the blind men see, Remember me. Remember me. I was only in my thirties, When they led me up that hill, With tears in my eyes I cried, But did my Father’s will, And there upon a cross of wood, I died to set you free, Remember me. When you’re opening those presents, Underneath your Christmas tree, Remember me.
Pre-deceased by her parents, her husband Martin, brother Paddy and sister-in-law Kitty; Mrs Fennelly passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at Fennor Hill Care Facility, Urlingford Co. Kilkenny.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving sons Michael, Pat, Martin, J.J., Paschal, Fintan, Fr. Seán and Dermot, her daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister Kathleen (Roberts) extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Fennelly, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, at a link to follow later.
The extended Fennelly and Ryan families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Lyrics: Songwriter and composer Franklin Souza Dornelas. Vocals: Country music singer and musician Jude Dawson.
Singer and Musician Jude Dawson.
In Your Arms.
In Your Arms.
I found you in the quiet of the night. Your voice was a beacon, a gentle light. Every glance sets a fire in my soul, Time stands still when you make me whole.
In your arms I find my home, Safe and warm, I’m never alone. If the world turns cold, with you it’s spring, You’re my love, my everything.
‘Cause only you can make me feel, That love is endless, strong, and real, And when I’m lying in your arms, I am complete, safe from all harm.
In your arms I find my home, Safe and warm, I’m never alone. If the world turns cold, with you it’s spring, You’re my love, my everything.
‘Cause only you can make me feel, That love is endless, strong, and real, And when I’m lying in your arms, I am complete, safe from all harm.
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