Five men, including one from Galway, are facing charges linked to hare coursing after an incident in Norfolk.
Eric Ward, from Tuam, faces a charge, as does Martin Ward, from Offaly. Both men are accused of illegal hunting and allegedly used a dog. Three other men, Martin, Eoin, and John Pio Ward, all from Norwich, are also charged. John Pio Ward faces an extra charge involving a locking knife.
The incident occurred near Beeston St Andrew in Norfolk, off the A1270 road. Police received reports of suspicious activity and a loose dog. Police arrived and arrested the five men, also seizing four dogs at the site.
The men gained release on bail soon after and will appear in court in March. If convicted, the dogs could be taken away and potentially re-homed, according to Norfolk Constabulary officers.
Separately, there’s been a drug bust in Galway, where police seized a large amount of drugs and arrested one man during the operation, who was later released. The seized drugs, including cannabis and cocaine found in Athenry, are worth around €127,000. The police raided the property last Friday.
They found about €90,000 worth of cannabis and about €37,000 worth of cocaine. The police will send the drugs for analysis. The man arrested is in his 30s and was released while they investigate. A garda spokesperson commented on the seizure to news outlets.
The garda said they targeted drug sales, and the search happened at a home in Athenry around 10:15 AM on February 7, 2025. During the search, they found the cannabis and cocaine at that home. The man was detained under a law; investigations continue.