'Terrified' Bandon teenager smoked cannabis night before drug-dealing sentencing

Gardaí called to his home and seized the drugs at his house and in a laneway

€600 worth of cannabis was found in the property and a further €1,900 worth of the drug was found concealed in the laneway where gardaí met the young man earlier. File photo: PA

A 19-year-old facing sentencing for dealing cannabis in Bandon in August last year was so terrified the night before that he got some cannabis to smoke but gardaí called to his home and seized the drugs.

Judge James McCourt said that if he finalised sentencing now at Cork Circuit Criminal Court defendant Kian Ryan would be going to jail. The judge said the best opportunity he could offer the defendant was an adjournment to allow him to get off drugs.

Prosecution barrister Brendan Kelly said the accused pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply and money-laundering on August 19, 2022.

Detective Garda Colin O’Mahony said that just before 7pm on that date the divisional drugs unit and the garda dog unit went to Richmond Court to carry out a search of a house under warrant.

As they approached they met Kian Ryan walking alone at a laneway by Richmond Court. Det. Garda O’Mahony produced a search warrant and identified himself as a member of An Garda Síochána.

€600 worth of cannabis was found in the property and a further €1,900 worth of the drug was found concealed in the laneway where gardaí met the young man earlier. Cash of €2,570 was also seized.

“Kian Ryan made certain admissions but he denied they were for sale or supply. He is 19 years old and resident in Bandon all his life,” the detective said.

It was alleged that a small quantity of drugs were found in the young man’s house on the eve of his latest court appearance.

Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said: “He found his mother dead when he was 13 and suffered from addiction and mental health issues. There is a very positive probation report.

“I accept there was an incident last night. But he is getting on very well. He is working full-time. He has provided a negative urine sample and presents with motivation and commitment. He has great potential. He contributes enthusiastically to his community.

“I cannot gainsay that there was an issue (being caught with cannabis for his own use the night before the sentencing). 

He made a bad decision. He knew this (sentencing for the August 2022 case) was coming and he decided to smoke it. 

"He is 19. I could not understand why he would do this when there was such a brilliant report. He was terrified coming to court. He has had a very difficult youth.” 

Judge James McCourt said: “The only thing I can offer him is an adjournment. If I finalise it today there is only one place he will be going.” Further adjourning sentencing until April 12, 2024, Judge McCourt said: “It is up to him to deal with his addictions.”