Former Ryanair pilot charged over €10m cannabis seizure

A former Ryanair pilot has appeared in court in the Republic of Ireland, charged in connection with the seizure of more than €10m (£8.5m) worth of herbal cannabis.

Brendan O'Meara, 62, with an address at An Tulach, Summer Hill, Meelick in County Clare, appeared before a special sitting of the district court in Ennis on Saturday.

He is charged with possession of a controlled drug, and possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply, at the address above on 7 May.

An application for bail was refused.

The court heard Mr O'Meara made no reply when he was arrested, charged and cautioned.

A solicitor for Mr O'Meara said they would be applying for bail but gardaí (Irish police) said they would be objecting to it on the basis that they believed that Mr O'Meara was a "high flight risk".

A police officer told Judge Marie Keane that further, more serious charges are likely to follow.

The judge refused bail due to the State's concerns that the accused is a serious flight risk, and that more serious charges are likely to be made.

Mr O'Meara was remanded back into custody to appear again in court via video-link on 14 May.