Bar manager had cannabis stash in his bedroom

Gardaí secured a warrant to search a pub based on confidential information in relation to alleged drugs and they found small quantities of cannabis resin and grass in a bedroom used by the bar manager.

Kieran O’Reilly, aged 26, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court yesterday to having the drugs for his use at Lower Rd, Crosshaven, Co Cork, on Jun 21 last year.

Insp Bill Duane said Garda Fergal Ashcroft and others went to the premises on that date and met with O’Reilly.

“Mr O’Reilly brought him to a bedroom where the cannabis [resin and herb] along with a weighing scales and two mobiles phones were found.”

In another search at the defendant’s home address at 26 The Green, Waterpark, Carrigaline, on the same date, a cannabis plant was found drying in a wardrobe.

O’Reilly pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis in respect of that. The total value of the cannabis, between the two addresses, was put at €524.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer, said the value was realistic-ally a lot less.

Mr Buttimer said it was reasonable for the inspector to refer to the pub in his outline of the case, but said it was important to say that the cannabis was found in a bedroom adjacent to the pub and used by the defendant, who was bar manager.

Mr Buttimer said it could be potentially damaging to the defendant’s father, who was the licensee, to suggest this had anything to do with the licensed area. The location referred to in the summons said the offence was committed “at O’Reilly’s Bar, Lower Rd, Crosshaven”. Mr Buttimer said the defendant admitted having the drugs in the two locations for his own use. “He realises the jeopardy in which he was placing the licence.”

Judge Malone put the matter of penalty back for two months to allow time for a probation report.