Member of Defence Forces found with €27k of cocaine at Cork barracks admits charges

As well as the drugs charges, he also signed a plea of guilty to money-laundering

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

A member of the Irish Defence Forces who was caught almost a year ago with a stash of cocaine with a street value of €26,992 at Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road in Cork signed guilty pleas to all charges against him on Wednesday.

Detective Garda Derry O’Brien charged Shane Scanlon of Cooline Heights, Ballyvoloon, Cobh, County Cork, with a number of charges. Now the 35-year-old has confessed to all charges against him.

Shane Scanlon admitted possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, at Collins Barracks, Old Youghal Road in Cork for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another on March 27, 2024. He also admitted having cocaine unlawfully in his possession for his own use. 

The most serious drugs charge under the Misuse of Drugs Act, to which he also pleaded guilty, 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 signed a plea of guilty to money-laundering in respect of €2,250 at his home in Cobh and another sum of €1,100 at Collins Barracks.

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

Sergeant Aisling Murphy applied to have the case sent forward for sentencing at the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on February 4 and Judge Mary Dorgan acceded to this application.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, represented the accused. Bail conditions between now and the circuit court appearance include the surrender of his passport and travel documents, signing twice a week at Cobh garda station and providing a phone number at which he will be contactable at all times. Mr Buttimer said Mr Scanlon was already compliant with all of those conditions.