Cork man caught dealing drugs to pay off debts after previous garda seizure

Some €21,000 worth of cannabis was seized at the man's home in Cork in September 2020.

A Cork man facing jail following the seizure of a big stash of drugs tried to drug-deal his way out of the new debt that this seizure caused for him and now this second case has resulted in his jail time being increased.

Garda Derry O’Brien observed 52-year-old Brian Collins involved in transactions with numerous people near his home on Noonan Road, Cork. The property was later searched under warrant and €4,800 worth of cannabis was found in a shed near his house.

Collins admitted ownership of those drugs and having them for sale or supply to others. Mr Collins told gardaí he was dealing to pay a drugs debt.

His barrister, Paula McCarthy, explained that in particular the accused had clocked up a drugs debt when €21,000 worth of cannabis was seized at his home in September 2020.

He was charged with having that quantity of drugs for sale or supply. Knowing he was facing a jail term he was anxious to pay off a drugs debt to an unnamed party for the loss of the €21,000 worth of cannabis.

However, he only succeeded in making matters worse for himself. Garda O’Brien charged him with having the €4,800 worth of drugs on November 10, 2020 — less than two months after the bigger cache was seized.

Judge Helen Boyle said she recalled that case where she imposed a sentence of five and a half years with the last two and a half years suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Making matters even worse, Collins had older drug convictions as well as this one.

Ms McCarthy BL said the defendant would have pleaded guilty and been sentenced a long time ago in relation to the November 2020 detection of €4,800 worth of cannabis but that this case was delayed through no fault of Collins.

“He was trying to get back the money he lost in the previous case,” Ms McCarthy said. She added that he was finally trying to get clear of drugs and planned to move out of Noonan Road when he is eventually released from prison.

Judge Boyle said: “An aggravating factor is that you were before the courts a number of times for the sale or supply of drugs.

“This was a very foolish attempt to get money to pay back a drugs debt. You were caught in a spiral. Cannabis causes problems to users and it is harmful.

“In mitigation, you signed a plea of guilty, cooperated, and saved a trial. You hope to move away from that area when you are released from prison and you are engaging with the service providers in prison.” 

The judge imposed a consecutive sentence of 18 months but suspended the final 12 months. This effectively adds six months to the three years he is serving for the case related to the €21,000 worth of cannabis.

On that occasion, two large clear plastic bags were found in a corner, hidden among black rubbish bags. His phones were examined and messages consistent with drug-dealing were found.