Dublin man admitted to being responsible for heroin overdose epidemic in Cork, court told

Josh McGuinness was refused bail

The detective said the accused was stopped and searched and found in possession of heroin valued €2,000 and cocaine worth €1,000 and that the drugs were broken down into deal-sized bags, ready for sale and distribution in Cork city centre. File picture

A Dublin man confessed to gardaí that he was responsible for the recent epidemic of heroin overdoses in Cork.

That was the allegation made by Detective Garda Derry O’Brien who arrested 30-year-old Josh McGuinness of no fixed address and originally of Harmonstown Road, Raheny, Dublin.

Mr McGuinness was brought before Cork District Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with dealing heroin and cocaine on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.

Det. Garda O’Brien gave evidence of the accused man being questioned during his detention: “Mr McGuinness made admissions in relation to knowing that deals being sold were to blame for the recent epidemic of overdoses in Cork City area over the past week.” 

Josh McGuinness was arrested on the morning of Tuesday, December 12 and charged with four counts, namely being in possession of Diamorphine (heroin) and cocaine for his own use and having both drugs for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying to others.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the accused was applying for bail and was willing to comply with all directions that might be imposed. He said he would go back to live in Raheny, keep a curfew and stay outside County Cork.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded the accused man in custody until December 20.

Judge Dorgan said

Everyone is entitled to their freedom and the presumption of innocence. He was caught red-handed and it is alleged that he made admissions to being responsible for the recent epidemic of overdoses.

During the objection to bail, Det. Garda O’Brien said the accused had a severe crack cocaine addiction that extended to consuming 15 to 20 deals of the drug per day at a daily cost of €600.

The detective said the accused was stopped and searched and found in possession of heroin valued €2,000 and cocaine worth €1,000 and that the drugs were broken down into deal-sized bags, ready for sale and distribution in Cork city centre.

The cocaine he was allegedly dealing was described as crack cocaine in 34 individual deals and 21 deals of heroin.

The defendant got into the witness box at Cork District Court in his application for bail. Mr Burke put to the accused the concerns the gardaí had about him committing further crimes if granted bail. 

He replied: “No, it is not going to happen.” However, the application was refused and on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, Judge Dorgan remanded Mr McGuinness in custody until December 20.