Pair guilty over €4.8m cocaine haul

A German and a Corkman admitted yesterday to having €4.8m worth of cocaine in North Cork last year.

Seán O’Donovan, aged 45, of Ballynakilla, Bartlemy, Co Cork, and Richard Deutschenbaur, aged 56, a German national, with an address at Stora Slatlovagen, Alinggas, Sweden, were arraigned yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

They both replied, “guilty” to the principle charge of possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Ballynakilla, Bartlemy, on Oct 13, 2011, at a time when its street value exceeded €13,000. This followed the seizure of 80 kilogrammes of cocaine by gardaí and customs.

Tim O’Leary, defending O’Donovan, said after the arraignment that he wanted sentencing adjourned.

“There will be a background story in relation to the matter… The plea of guilty has saved the State a considerable period of time, the trial would have lasted two weeks or so, not to mind the expense.”

James O’Mahony, defending Deutschenbaur, joined in the application to have sentencing adjourned.

“In Mar 2010 he had a large tumour removed from the left side of the brain. In Aug 2011, a new growth was detected on the left side of the brain. He was to have an MRI to his brain checked. We are anxious to have an oncologist’s report for sentencing and to certify legal aid for that.”

Judge Patrick J Moran remanded the men in custody until Jun 22 for sentencing.