Young Carndonagh man accused of importing more than €13,000 worth of cannabis

A young Carndonagh man has been sent forward for trial to Letterkenny Circuit Court on serious drugs charges.

Leighton O’Connor, of Ard Clochar, Carndonagh, is accused of importing quantities of cannabis worth in excess of €13,000.

He is also charged with two counts of having the substance for sale or supply, as well as one count of possession of cannabis.

The four charges relate to an alleged major drugs seizure at his Ard Clochar, Carndonagh residence on November 28, 2024.

Garda Brandon Wilkie gave evidence of having served the Book of Evidence on Mr O’Connor’s solicitor, Rory O’Brien, at the January sitting of Carndonagh District Court.

The 24-year-old defendant, who wore a blue hoodie and jeans, did not have an opportunity to speak during the brief court session.

Judge Emile Daly noted that the Book of Evidence – which contains four charges – had been served and the declaration of service was complete, while the DPP consents to the accused being returned for trial.

She then gave Mr O’Connor the ‘alibi warning’ before formally returning him to Letterkenny Circuit Court next month.

“If you intend to rely on any alibi evidence in respect of this matter, you must give written notice of that alibi within fourteen days of today’s date,” the judge warned the accused.

“I’m now making an order returning you for trial by judge and jury to the next sittings of the Circuit Court in Letterkenny on February 3, 2026,” she ruled.

Judge Daly also made a Section 56 order, directing that all video copies of Garda interviews be disclosed to the defence team.

Mr O’Connor was released on continuing bail, while Legal Aid was granted to Mr O’Brien for two barristers, given the gravity of the charges faced by his client.