Heroin addict gets 3-year sentence

An addict who was caught with over €10,000 worth of heroin on the grounds of a derelict hospital in Cork was jailed for three years with half of it suspended yesterday.

Brian Philpott, 33, of 6, Hollywood Estate, Blarney Road, Cork, was caught retrieving the stash from a hole in the wall on July 23 last in a deserted boiler house on the grounds of Our Lady’s in Gurranabraher, Detective Garda Alan Johnston said yesterday evening.

Drugs squad gardaí uncovered the drugs when a member of the drugs squad and a dog from the drugs unit discovered the heroin hidden in a wall at the boiler house.

Surveillance was set up and Philpott was later arrested when he went to retrieve drugs from the stash.

Philpott was charged with possession of diamorphine (better known as heroin) for the purpose of sale or supply. Having first denied this he ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge

Detective Garda Johnston said that Philpott was caught red-handed but Philpott initially claimed he was out walking his dog in the area at the time.

He noticed loose bags around the area and picked up a number of them.

He said that as soon as he picked up one of the bags and held it up to see what was in it, officers of An Garda Siochana emerged and arrested him.

Dermot Sheehan, defence barrister, said Philpott had been remanded in custody since he was caught and was doing well in terms of getting rehabilitation.