Man charged after cannabis seized at Bauer Media offices

A senior marketing executive at Newstalk has appeared in court charged with possession of drugs earlier this week at Marconi House in Dublin, the offices of Bauer Media.

Seafra O'Donovan with an address at Leeson Park Court in Ranelagh is charged with two offences; possession of cannabis and possession with intent to supply.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at Marconi House on Digges Lane.

He was arrested following the seizure by gardaí of five and a half kilos of cannabis estimated to be worth €110,000 at Bauer Media’s offices last Monday and brought before the Dublin District Court this morning.

Garda Kevin Hearns from the divisional drugs unit at Kevin Street gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court that Mr O’Donovan was charged shortly after 11pm last night and "made no reply" when cautioned.

Garda Hearns confirmed there was no objection to bail.

Judge Conor Fottrell directed that the 35-year-old sign on twice a week at his local garda station, notify the gardaí of any change of address or mobile phone number, and not apply for a passport.

Defence solicitor, Aoife Dalton told the judge that Mr O’Donovan had provided his phone number and that his passport had already been handed in.

Garda Hearns asked for a lengthy adjournment as the investigation was still ongoing and a file needed to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Fottrell remanded Seafra O'Donovan to appear again on 27 May.

Bauer Media Audio Ireland is a commercial radio group with eight stations including national stations Newstalk and Today FM; SPIN in Dublin and SPINSouthWest; 98FM in Dublin and Red FM in Cork.

It also operates podcasts and the digital sports brand Off the Ball.