Man (48) charged with running crime gang and cocaine smuggling

A Dublin man charged with running a crime gang and cocaine smuggling is to face a non-jury Special Criminal Court trial, reports Tom Tuite.

The Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision in Brian Grendon’s case was revealed after fresh charges were brought against him at Dublin District Court on Tuesday.

Mr Grendon, 48, was arrested following an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in after returning to the country.

He was remanded in custody on January 26.

The primary charge alleges that between August 1 and September 17, 2024, within the State, he directed “the activities of a criminal organisation in the importation and distribution of controlled drugs and the money laundering of the proceeds of the sale of those drugs,” contrary to Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Mr Grendon of Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, appeared again and was charged with five additional connected offences.

They related to: unlawful importation of cocaine worth €13,000 or more into the State via Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford. These offences allegedly occurred over three time periods in 2024: August 7, September 2 to September 9, and August 10 to September 13. The were also two money laundering allegations involving possession of the proceeds of crime, €22,220 and €230,860, at a location within the State on September 16, 2024, and the following day.

Detective Garda John Rourke told Judge Kelly that the accused “made no reply” to each new charge when they were put to him.

Judge Treasa Kelly noted the DPP’s  decision that the case will eventually be transferred to the Special Criminal Court.

It is normally reserved for gangland or terrorism offences where the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said that he expected the prosecution’s book of evidence to be completed soon, because his client had already been questioned regarding the matter a year ago.

Mr Grendon, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court, on April 7.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in this case.

The solicitor stated that Mr Grendon would apply for High Court bail later this month.

He had previously lodged his application amidst Garda objections in February but afer withdrawing it at a late stage, he was ordered to pay prosecution costs.