Longford house search was ‘like a scene from Breaking Bad’, says judge

The application was put forward on behalf of Joe Doyle, Darren Doyle and Joe Mears, all with addresses at Richmond Court, Longford, on the grounds that Gardaí did not have a warrant to search the property.

Judge John Brennan heard evidence of a search carried out by Gardaí in numbers 1 to 5, Richmond Court, Longford, on foot of a bench warrant and it was accepted by Inspector Dave Jordan that Gardaí did not have a warrant to search number 7.

However, Sergeant Owen Fox gave evidence that, on May 23, 2022, he had assembled a search team and, while he himself was present in the backyard of number 1, Richmond Court, a “youth”, later identified as Lee Mears, alighted from a caravan.

“I followed and he ran into the back door of a house on Richmond Street. I followed in hot pursuit and was met by Joe Mears, Joseph Doyle and Lee Mears,” said Sgt Fox.

Sgt Fox, while inside the house, observed “a small ziplock bag” on the floor, which he said had been tampered with and the contents disposed of.

A search of the house resulted in the seizure of further ziplock bags containing “green herb” and suspected cocaine. Other drug paraphernalia was also seized from the house, along with a total of €7,000 in cash.

The matter of the suspected drugs is still under investigation due to a large number of delays in forensic analysis, the court heard.

Sgt Fox, addressing the court, said that he wasn’t aware at the time of the search that he had entered number 7, a property for which he did not have a warrant.

“I came out to the back laneway and counted the houses and saw that I was indeed at number 7,” he said.

“I had no other reason to enter number 7, only for Lee Mears had alighted. I was conscious of the fact he may have been about to commit an arrestable offence so I followed him in hot pursuit.”

Judge Brennan noted that Sgt Fox and his team were dealing with a “fluid situation” where a youth was running from one property to another.

“Matters had to be acted on quickly. I don’t see any breach of the constitution in circumstances where it was an emerging situation, on foot of a search warrant and a hot pursuit,” he said.

“The sergeant was in hot pursuit and then there was the sight of a ziplock bag and other ziplock bags - like a scene from Breaking Bad.

“It is rather early to have this application. Nobody has been charged for the suspected drugs yet,” said Judge Brennan.

“I’m satisfied this matter can go back and be heard at a later stage, I am adjourning it until somebody is charged,” he concluded.

The case will reappear before Longford District Court on March 7, 2023, for mention only.