West Cork man caught twice with cocaine for sale or supply avoids jail

Bandon man caught with €7,900 worth of the drug in October 2021 and €3,700 worth in December 2022, court heard

Accused's drugs debt got him into these offences and his own personal cocaine debt resulted in him being the victim of a serious assault resulting in 'life-altering injuries', court heard. Picture: iStock

A 45-year-old Bandon man who was caught dealing €7,900 worth of cocaine was stopped again just over one year later with another €3,700 worth of the same drug for sale or supply in the West Cork town.

Now at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Mark Desmond, of Allen Square, Bandon, Co Cork, has been given two suspended sentences for his drug crimes.

Judge Helen Boyle imposed a two-year suspended sentence for the first cocaine-dealing offence and a nine-month suspended sentence for the second count of having the drug for sale or supply again.

Defence barrister Emmet Boyle said Mark Desmond’s drugs debt got him into these offences and his own personal cocaine debt resulted in him being the victim of a serious assault resulting in “life-altering injuries” in the past six weeks.

Judge Boyle said despite a destructive, 20-year cocaine addiction, the accused man had managed to stay in employment.

Mr Boyle, barrister, said favourable reports on the accused had been prepared by the probation service and the treatment centre he attended for rehabilitation as well as a testimonial from his employer.

Detective Garda Shannon Ryan gave evidence of the background to three separate drug seizures from Mark Desmond on different dates from October 2, 2021, to December 1, 2022.

Det Garda Ryan said gardaí had information related to Mark Desmond’s activities in Bandon, that he was “selling cocaine in local bars in town”. A warrant was obtained for a search of his home at Allen Square in Bandon on October 2, 2021.

Cocaine was being stored by Mark Desmond at that time in a tube in the wardrobe of his bedroom and a smaller quantity consisting of four deals of cocaine were found in his wallet.

Four days later, Mark Desmond was stopped while driving in the Bandon area, and he had cocaine for his own use, with a street value of €560.

His home was searched again on December 1, 2022, by Detective Garda David Barrett and €3,700 worth of cocaine was found.

Judge Boyle said in her judgement: “Clearly, you were actively involved in the sale or supply of drugs. You had amassed a significant drugs debt and you were in a vicious circle.” 

In relation to the second dealing charge, last December, the judge said: “You stayed involved with drugs and were caught with €3,700 of cocaine that you were selling to your friends.” 

While there was evidence of the defendant making admissions to gardaí, the judge referred to the “bizarre responses” he made to gardaí in the course of four interviews at Bandon Garda Station in October 2021, on the apparent advice of a person the judge referred to as “a so-called lawyer who was not a lawyer”. 

Det  Garda Shannon Ryan said Mark Desmond repeatedly replied: “No comply, no contract, no jurisdiction,” throughout the four interviews.