By Ronan Judge

A new charge of money-laundering has been brought against a 36-year-old man accused of drugs offences in Knocknacarra.

Jamie O’Brien (36), with an address at 51 Léas Na Mara, Knocknacarra, is accused of engaging in, converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, cash totalling €8,050.

It is alleged he committed the offence at 51 Léas Na Mara, Knocknacarra, on July 22, 2022, contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act).

Sergeant Claire Heneghan told a sitting of Galway District Court that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment with consent for a signed plea of guilty, should it arise.

O’Brien already faces three charges relating to the same date and location.

He is charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purposes of sale or otherwise supply, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He is further charged with possession of weighing scales, deal bags and a blender, in circumstances that give rise to reasonable inference that the possession of such items was for a purpose connected with the commission of a drug trafficking offence.

Judge John King extended bail from the previous charges to cover the new charge and adjourned the case to January 19, 2026.

Defence solicitor, Catherine Tolan, consented to time being extended to allow for the service of a book of evidence, should it be required.

A co-accused, Emma Murray (33), also with an address at 51 Léas Na Mara, Knocknacarra, faces three charges.

She is charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purposes of sale or otherwise supply.

She is further charged with possession of weighing scales, deal bags and a blender, in circumstances that give rise to reasonable inference that the possession of such items was for a purpose connected with the commission of a drug trafficking offence.

The court was previously told the DPP had directed summary disposal of the case in the District Court on a plea of guilty only.

Judge King remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear again in court on January 19.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.