Father of 11 decided to sell drugs after seeing lifestyle of other dealers, Cork court told

Patrick McCarthy was given a two-year jail sentence with the last six months suspended

The man was caught with €10,900 worth of cannabis at his home. File picture: Getty

A father of 11 saw others dealing drugs in Mallow and having plenty of money so he decided to get involved in the crime himself, but now he has been jailed for 18 months.

43-year-old Patrick McCarthy was eventually caught by Detective Garda Will Hosford and his colleagues at his home in Mount Nagle, Mallow, County Cork, with €10,900 worth of cannabis and €22,800 in cash.

He pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to having the drugs for sale or supply and admitted an offence of money-laundering in respect of the cash which was the proceeds of his dealing.

Judge Helen Boyle said: “Your admission is of use to the State. You have 11 children. You became involved in selling drugs when you saw others selling them and you thought they did not appear to have financial problems.

You say you are ashamed of what you did. You have some empathy with people who got involved in taking drugs.

“You left school early. You were receiving disability payments. You suffered a serious assault as a result of issues around this trial, involving skull fractures and a broken jaw.” 

Judge Boyle took into consideration defence submissions made by barrister Donal Cronin on Patrick McCarthy’s behalf and also noted a positive probation report which stated that he was actively co-operating with the service.

Taking aggravating and mitigating factors into consideration, the judge said a two-year jail sentence was appropriate with the last six months suspended.

The accused was originally from Spring Lane in Cork City and later moved to Mallow.

Similar drugs and money-laundering charges against the defendant’s wife, Georgina McCarthy, were withdrawn by the prosecution following the sentencing of Patrick McCarthy.

The drugs seizure that resulted in the jailing of Mr McCarthy was carried out on November 7, 2020. The drugs were discovered in a paint can in a ditch behind the house.