Man's 'inept effort' to throw drugs over the wall of Cork Prison lands him in court

Dean Cremin also pleaded guilty to shoplifting on another date and to threatening another man in a third incident

The court heard: 'In relation to the drugs at the prison it was an inept effort to do what he did. He was manifestly, easily identified.' File picture: Dan Linehan

Drugs were thrown over the wall of Cork Prison at Rathmore Road in what was described as an inept and easily detectable crime as sentencing of the culprit was adjourned until June for that and other crimes.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the background to the crimes committed by 31-year-old Dean Cremin of Inchera Close, Mahon, Cork: “On May 2, 2021, Garda Niamh Crowley attended a call where prison personnel observed a man throw a number of objects over the prison wall from Rathmore Road.

“These items were retrieved by a prison officer. She handed over an evidence bag sealed with 67 unknown tablets and a small quantity of cannabis.

“The person who threw the objects was identified as Dean Cremin. He made admissions when questioned by gardaí. The tablets were identified as Delorazepam and cannabis.” 

Dean Cremin had more than 100 previous convictions, including four for possession of drugs and one for having them for sale or supply.

Dean Cremin also pleaded guilty to shoplifting at JJ O’Driscoll’s Ballinlough on July 31, 2023. And in a third incident on June 18, 2023, there was an incident where he was threatening towards another man.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said: “There was no reason for the argument to occur. He was in the throes of heroin addiction. He was not able to control his temper as much as anything else.

In relation to the drugs at the prison it was an inept effort to do what he did. He was manifestly, easily identified. 

"He was interviewed and he outlined the circumstances where he was somewhat prevailed upon - he put the effort he made in a particular context, I don’t want to go into it. 

"He was concerned about something that might happen (if he did not agree to supply the drugs in this manner),” Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Dorgan said she would adjourn sentencing of Cremin on the various matters until June 16 to see if he stays out of trouble and to do three supervised urinalysis tests in the meantime.