Member of Defence Forces faces drugs charges after alleged seizure at Cork barracks

Accused is also charged with money laundering offences at Collins Barracks and at his home in Cobh

Shane Scanlon, 35, is charged with possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, at Collins Barracks, Old Youghal Road, Cork, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, on March 27, 2024. File picture: Larry Cummins

Fresh charges of drug-dealing and money-laundering were brought against a member of the Irish Defence Forces arising out of the alleged seizure of €26,992 worth of cocaine at Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road in Cork.

Detective Garda Derry O’Brien gave evidence on Wednesday of charging Shane Scanlon, of Cooline Heights, Ballyvoloon, Cobh, Co Cork, with a number of charges. He made no reply to any of the charges against him.

35-year-old Shane Scanlon is charged with possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, at Collins Barracks, Old Youghal Road, Cork, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, on March 27, 2024. 

He is also charged with having cocaine unlawfully in his possession for his own use. The most serious drugs charge brought under the Misuse of Drugs Act refers to having cocaine for sale or supply when its street value exceeded €13,000 — a charge which carries a 10-year minimum sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances.

He is charged with money-laundering in respect of €2,250 at his home in Cobh and another sum of €1,100 at Collins Barracks.

Mr Scanlon is finally charged with possession of articles, namely a blender and weighing scales in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference it was for the purpose of commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug-trafficking offence.

Some of the charges brought against Mr Scanlon on Wednesday had been brought against him previously but were struck out due to a delay in DPP directions. This did not preclude the prosecution from charging him again in the same case.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the DPP had decided the case should proceed by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer asked for clarification on the issue of whether a signed plea of guilty could be entered at Cork District Court for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. This will be clarified on the next occasion in court.

On the application of Sergeant Murphy, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until January 29 at Cork District Court.

Bail conditions to be observed by the accused, include the surrender of his passport and travel documents and signing three times a week at Cobh Garda Station.