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15/02/2010
Head Shop Fire Turns Up €500,000
The fire at a Dublin 'head shop' last week has lead to the discovery of €500,000 in cash under the building's floorboards, it has been revealed.
Gardaí said today they are treating the fire at the legal drug supplying store as arson.
The fire almost completely destroyed the unit and a number of neighbouring outlets last Friday.
During the cleanup operation, Gardaí were amazed to find almost €500,000 in cash found under the floorboards of the Nirvana head shop on Capel Street in Dublin’s north inner city. The money was kept by gardaí for safe keeping over the weekend.
The money was found in a safe under the floorboards of the shop while fire fighters were making the premises safe after bringing the blaze under control on Friday evening.
The money was taken, with the permission of shop owner Jim Bellamy, to the Bridewell Garda station. Garda sources said the cash has not been seized, adding it would be returned to Mr Bellamy for lodgement in the bank as early as this morning.
Also today, the Oireachtas Justice Committee said it would carry out a thorough investigation of 'head shops' and the legal drugs they provide during the course of the current Dáil session
"Having agreed our work schedule I can confirm we will be investigating the issue of head shops over the next few months as it is an issue that requires urgent attention,"said Deputy Brendan Kenneally. "There is clearly a big problem out there with these head shops. They are providing so called ‘legal highs’ to the young people of this country."
Mr Kenneally added: "It is clear that there are a lot of people all around the country whose lives are being badly impacted by the existence of these head shops and personally I would like to see them banned."
(DW/GK)
Gardaí said today they are treating the fire at the legal drug supplying store as arson.
The fire almost completely destroyed the unit and a number of neighbouring outlets last Friday.
During the cleanup operation, Gardaí were amazed to find almost €500,000 in cash found under the floorboards of the Nirvana head shop on Capel Street in Dublin’s north inner city. The money was kept by gardaí for safe keeping over the weekend.
The money was found in a safe under the floorboards of the shop while fire fighters were making the premises safe after bringing the blaze under control on Friday evening.
The money was taken, with the permission of shop owner Jim Bellamy, to the Bridewell Garda station. Garda sources said the cash has not been seized, adding it would be returned to Mr Bellamy for lodgement in the bank as early as this morning.
Also today, the Oireachtas Justice Committee said it would carry out a thorough investigation of 'head shops' and the legal drugs they provide during the course of the current Dáil session
"Having agreed our work schedule I can confirm we will be investigating the issue of head shops over the next few months as it is an issue that requires urgent attention,"said Deputy Brendan Kenneally. "There is clearly a big problem out there with these head shops. They are providing so called ‘legal highs’ to the young people of this country."
Mr Kenneally added: "It is clear that there are a lot of people all around the country whose lives are being badly impacted by the existence of these head shops and personally I would like to see them banned."
(DW/GK)
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12 February 2010
Head Shop Fire In Dublin City Centre
A fire has broken out at a shop on Capel Street in Dublin city centre this morning. The fire at the Nirvana Head Shop broke out this morning and the entire street is closed as a result. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochána are at the scene. A small number of nearby homes have been evacuated.
Head Shop Fire In Dublin City Centre
A fire has broken out at a shop on Capel Street in Dublin city centre this morning. The fire at the Nirvana Head Shop broke out this morning and the entire street is closed as a result. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochána are at the scene. A small number of nearby homes have been evacuated.
04 February 2010
McDaid Says Headshop Ban 'Huge Mistake'
A Fianna Fail TD has broken ranks by claiming the banning of headshops "is not the way forward". Despite a campaign by the Opposition party to ban the shops - which sell artificial highs and recreational drug substitutes - Deputy Jim McDaid said he believed that the country is "on the verge of making a huge mistake" if such shops are banned.
McDaid Says Headshop Ban 'Huge Mistake'
A Fianna Fail TD has broken ranks by claiming the banning of headshops "is not the way forward". Despite a campaign by the Opposition party to ban the shops - which sell artificial highs and recreational drug substitutes - Deputy Jim McDaid said he believed that the country is "on the verge of making a huge mistake" if such shops are banned.
13 June 2014
Man Arrested For Second Time In 2012 Murder Investigation
Gardaí investigating the murder of man in Co Kerry in 2012 have arrested a 29-year-old man in Killorglin. The body of 58-year-old James Cahillane was found by fiefighters at his home near Beaufort in April 2012. Detectives initially thought that Mr Cahillane died in an accidental fire.
Man Arrested For Second Time In 2012 Murder Investigation
Gardaí investigating the murder of man in Co Kerry in 2012 have arrested a 29-year-old man in Killorglin. The body of 58-year-old James Cahillane was found by fiefighters at his home near Beaufort in April 2012. Detectives initially thought that Mr Cahillane died in an accidental fire.
12 March 2010
Head Shop Pair Questioned
Two men were being questioned last night following a third so-called 'head shop' being hit by fire. Firemen were called to the Yutopia store on Connolly Street in Sligo at around 12.30am on Thursday morning. It has emerged today that extensive smoke damage was caused to the town centre premises, which is also an adult shop.
Head Shop Pair Questioned
Two men were being questioned last night following a third so-called 'head shop' being hit by fire. Firemen were called to the Yutopia store on Connolly Street in Sligo at around 12.30am on Thursday morning. It has emerged today that extensive smoke damage was caused to the town centre premises, which is also an adult shop.
25 April 2012
Six Year Jail Term For IRA Extortionist
The Special Criminal Court has jailed a Dublin man who extorted more than a quarter of a million euro from a fish and chip shop owner in the city by threatening him with the Real IRA. “It is abundantly clear that this activity was ordinary criminal racketeering and terrorising ordinary innocent people,” said Mr Justice Paul Butler.
Six Year Jail Term For IRA Extortionist
The Special Criminal Court has jailed a Dublin man who extorted more than a quarter of a million euro from a fish and chip shop owner in the city by threatening him with the Real IRA. “It is abundantly clear that this activity was ordinary criminal racketeering and terrorising ordinary innocent people,” said Mr Justice Paul Butler.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Dry, bright start this morning with best of sunshine in the west. Thickening cloud over Down and Antrim this morning with a few showers, extending westwards this afternoon. Lighter winds. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Rather cloudy and mainly dry at first, then showery outbreaks of rain extending westwards to most places during the night, turning heavier towards morning. Light winds. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
