'You see it all in this job': Cork gardaí sniffed out cannabis as it burned in house fire

A man admitted at the time that the drugs were his

The accused said that he had bought the drugs for €500 during the covid-19 pandemic.

A man whose drugs stash was discovered when gardaí smelled burning cannabis as they attended the scene of a house fire has avoided a conviction for possession in the district court.

Inspector Tony O’Sullivan told Mallow District Court that gardaí and fire service personnel attended a small house fire that had broken out at a property in Parkview, Charleville, Co. Cork on April 10, 2020. 

While attending the scene, a garda noticed a strong smell of cannabis and subsequently 52.1 grams of cannabis was discovered hidden in a plastic container which had started to melt. The drugs were valued at approximately €1,040.

The cannabis belonged to Patrik Havlik, 22, of 9 Hillside, Carraward East, Drumcollogher, Co Limerick, who was visiting his sister and her partner at the time. 

Mr Halvik, who was not in court, admitted at the time that the drugs were his and said that he had moved them when the fire broke out and that the plastic container they were contained in had begun to melt. He said that he had bought the drugs for €500 during the covid-19 pandemic.

Barrister Donal Cronin said that Mr Havlik had fully co-operated with gardaí and admitted the contraband was his at the first opportunity. He said that he was a young man visiting his sister at the time who had bought the drugs for his own use during the covid period. 

He said that Mr Havlik was not in court because he was in the UK where his mother was seriously ill in hospital.

Judge Colm Roberts said that it was a very unusual circumstance and commented: “You really do see it all in this job.” 

He ordered Mr Havlik to make a charitable donation of €250 and adjourned the case until May 28. If Mr Havlik makes a donation to a nominated charity before then, he will not be convicted.