Cork man was supplying friends with 'bumps of cocaine'

Shane O’Sullivan of Heathervalley, Glencreagh, Bantry, County Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of having cocaine for sale or supply.

UPDATE: A five-month suspended jail term was imposed on a young man from Bantry who was caught supplying his friends with ‘bumps of cocaine’ in a pub last Christmas.

Judge Marian O’Leary gave Shane O’Sullivan of Heathervalley, Glencreagh, Bantry, County Cork, the benefit of the suspended jail term following his plea of guilty to a charge of having cocaine on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, for sale or supply on December 19 2021.

The young man’s defence indicated at an earlier hearing in Cork District Court that in mitigation they had three letters in support of the accused – from his employer, a sports organisation which he attends and from the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).

IACP have since pointed out that the reference to them was incorrect and that the association was established for the purpose of providing information, for the setting and maintaining of practice and training standards and to represent Counsellors and Psychotherapists and the association is not a direct employer of any Counsellors or Psychotherapists and does not provide these services to the general public.

The letter referred to in the court case as coming from IACP was from an individual therapist.

Original article:
A young man from Bantry was caught with drugs in Cork city last Christmas and he admitted to gardaí that he was supplying his friends with ‘bumps of cocaine’ in the pub.

Inspector James O’Donovan gave this outline of the case at Cork District Court and Judge Marian O’Leary asked for clarification — “Bumps?” Inspector said this was the term used for deals of cocaine.

Judge O’Leary said: “I am learning something new every day.”

 Inspector O’Donovan said: “Yes, judge, bumps.” 

The matter arose during a case where Shane O’Sullivan of Heathervalley, Glencreagh, Bantry, County Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of having cocaine on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, for sale or supply on December 19, 2021.

Inspector O’Donovan said the defendant appeared to be agitated and his pupils were dilated. A search was carried out under the Misuse of Drugs Act and he had two bags of white powder. On analysis, it was established that it consisted of six grammes of cocaine with a street value of €420.

Defence barrister, Orla Meere, said: “My instructions are that he was supplying cocaine to friends. He is currently employed.”

 The barrister produced three letters in support of the accused — from his employer, a sports organisation which he attends, and the therapist from whom he received treatment.

“In terms of his drug use he faced it head-on. He is no longer using drugs,” Ms Meere said.

Judge O’Leary required urinalysis results and a probation report in advance of sentencing and the case was adjourned until December 14.

This article was edited on Jan 6, 2023