Gardai take passport of man charged with drugs and money-laundering offences at two Galway premises
The accused must reside at an address in Knocknacarra, observe a curfew, sign on daily at a Garda station and not apply for any travel documents in Ireland and Poland
A 47-year-old man accused of drugs and money-laundering offences in Galway City will have his case heard in the Circuit Criminal Court, a court has heard.
Olgierd Frankowski, with an address at 1A The Cobblestones, Eyre Street, appeared at Galway District Court on Friday.
He was previously brought before a special sitting of District Court on Thursday when the State did not object to bail, subject to conditions.
However, the accused spent a night in custody after an issue arose with the €5000 bail surety sought by the State.
On Friday, the woman acting as surety was present in court and had €5000 cash.
Judge Gerard Furlong said he had already heard evidence of arrest, charge and caution of the accused.
He said that under caution, the accused made various replies of "okay" and no reply to the 13 charges before the court.
Judge Furlong told Agnieszka Sendor, a friend of the accused acting as bail surety, that he wanted to appraise her of the bail conditions the accused must abide by.
Frankowski must reside at an address in Knocknacarra, observe a curfew, sign on daily at a Garda station and not apply for any travel documents in Ireland and Poland.
His passport is in the possession of the gardai, the court heard.
Under another bail condition, the accused must not trade in any digital or crypto currencies.
Judge Furlong told Ms Sendor that it becomes her responsibility the accused observes those conditions and that the €5000 and Ms Sendor's liberty are both at risk should any breach occur.
He said the court was accepting the money in lieu of a bank book.
Both the accused and Ms Sendor confirmed to the court that they understood the conditions.
Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court, with consent for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea should it arise.
Judge Furlong remanded Frankowski on bail to appear again on November 9 and granted the State's application to extend the 42-day period for service of the book of evidence, should it be required, to November 9.
Defence counsel, Nicholas Hall BL, asked that disclosure by supplied to solicitor Sarah Ryan, before the next court date.
In the case, Olgierd Frankowski, is charged that on September 30, 2022, at the Escape Rooms, Dominick Street, Galway, he did engage in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using €12,700 cash that is the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.
He also faces six charges of possession of drugs - cannabis, amphetamine and MDMA - contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act - at 1A The Cobblestones and the Escape Rooms, Dominick Street, on September 30, 2022.
Frankowski faces six more serious charges under section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act - alleging he possessed quantities of cannabis, amphetamine and MDMA for sale or otherwise supply, at 1A The Cobblestones and The Escape Rooms, also on September 30, 2022.
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