Man and woman accused of having drugs at house on Offaly golf course

Cocaine, cannabis and MDMA allegedly for sale or supply at residence in Esker Hills along with diamorphine at container in Birr

Published 23rd Jul 2026, 13:00 BST Two defendants appeared by video link from prison | Tribune Pictures Cocaine, cannabis and MDMA allegedly for sale or supply at residence in Esker Hills along with diamorphine at container in Birr Sign up to our Offaly Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Offaly Live within your account.

A MAN and a woman who are in custody accused of serious drug offences at different locations in Offaly, including a house on Esker Hills golf course, appeared before Tullamore District Court by video link.

Darren Somers (45) and Monika Swiatkowska (46), both with addresses at 18 Esker Hills Golf Course, are alleged to have had cocaine, valued at €13,000 or more, for sale or supply to others, on April 14 last at that address.

They are both also accused of having cannabis and MDMA on the same date at the same location for sale or supply.

They are further alleged to have had diamorphine, valued at €13,000 or more, for sale or supply to others at a container in a storage facility in Birr on April 15 last.

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There are also charges alleging the possession of cannabis at the same container in Birr.

Finally, Darren Somers is accused of possessing crack cocaine at Kilbride Street in Tullamore on March 16 last.

At a sitting of Tullamore District Court on July 15, Judge Andrew Cody heard Mr Somers made no reply to the garda who arrested, charged and cautioned him.

The court was told the DPP had directed that Mr Somers be tried by indictment and a book of evidence would be prepared.

Ms Swiatkowska similarly had made no reply to any of the charges after caution and the DPP had given the same direction.

Both accused were remanded in custody for a week and Mr Somers appeared by video link from Cloverhill Prison on Wednesday, July 22.

Judge Cody told the man that there was no one present in court from the office of his solicitor, Michael Hennessy but the book of evidence was being prepared and Mr Somers would be produced in court on September 2 next.

In the meantime he was remanded in custody again for a week to appear in Portlaoise District Court by video link on July 29.

The judge said the matter would then be put back again to August 6 in advance of the September 2 appearance.

Ms Swiatkowska appeared by video link from the Dochas Centre women's prison in Mountjoy and Sergeant Richard Thornton said the book of evidence in relation to her prosecution would be ready in September.

Judge Cody said bail in her case had been set by the High Court but Ms Swiatkowska said it could not be paid.

The judge remanded the woman in custody to July 29 to appear by video link before Portlaoise District Court and said the matter would then be put back to September 2 for service of the book of evidence.