Republican News · Thursday 30 November 2001

Gardaí accused of planting drugs

A Dublin anti-drugs activist has accused Gardaí of planting drugs in his apartment. Kevin, who does not wish to use his full name, was chatting with his landlord, who is also the owner of a motorbike shop below Kevin's apartment in Drimnagh, when Gardaí entered the premises and asked him if he lived upstairs. It transpired that they had already raided the apartment in his absence. Despite repeated requests, says Kevin, they failed to produce a warrant. What they did show him however, "were two brown lumps, a rolled cigarette and a matchbox containing two white tablets that they claimed to have found on my table". Talking to An Phoblacht, Kevin was adamant that the Gardaí planted the drugs. When in custody, charged with possession and intent to supply, he says Gardaí were anxious to find out about his anti-drugs activities and to ply him for information but he says he refused to speak to them.

Kevin's landlord vouched for his tenant. He confirmed that Kevin is a very private individual who rarely received visitors. The Gardaí claimed to have seen people in and out of the apartment, but Kevin's landlord is adamant that there were no such callers. "We were just talking when the Guards came in," he said. "We were both gobsmacked when they said they had found drugs upstairs."