Mother and daughter charged over €1.2m cannabis seizure at Shannon Airport

A mother and daughter were remanded in custody over Christmas after they were charged in relation to the seizure of €1.28m worth of cannabis at Shannon Airport.

Dovil Reifonaite, aged 40, and Migle Kurieniute, aged 20, both of Newlands, Mullingar, Co Westmeath appeared before Limerick District Court on Christmas Eve. Gardai gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning the two accused.

They are both charged with possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Both women made no reply to each charge after caution.

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Ms Reifonaite and Ms Kurieniute were represented by solicitor John Casey, who made a bail application on their behalf.

Inspector Liz Kennedy, prosecuting, objected to bail on behalf of the State.

A detective garda alleged that at 11.16am on December 23, 2024, the two accused disembarked from a flight at Shannon Airport which had arrived from Boston.

“Revenue officers discovered 64kgs vacuum packed packages of cannabis in their four suitcases with a street value of €1.28m,” alleged a detective garda.

Gardai objected to bail due to the “significant quantity of drugs seized” and they alleged the accused have family living in Lithuania and “may attempt to leave Ireland”.

Mr Casey, in applying for bail, said Ms Reifonaite and Ms Kurieniute have lived in Mullingar for the last eight years.

“Ms Kurieniute has been here since she was 12. They have set up home here. If granted bail they will sign on daily or even twice daily at a garda station. This is where their life is. They don’t have the financial means to create a new life for themselves,” said Mr Casey.

Judge Alec Gabbett said the two accused had the wherewithal to get to Boston.

The judge said every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the State .

“My dilemma is are they a flight risk. They have family in Lithuania. They have a lot to lose here – there is a great incentive to go.

“I am going to refuse bail in the circumstances. I am concerned about a flight risk. They are entitled to the presumption of innocence,” said Judge Gabbett.

Ms Reifonaite and Ms Kurieniute were remanded in custody to appear, via video-link, at Ennis District Court on December 31.