Cork man who tipped over bucket of drugs on waste ground and fled gardaí is jailed

Accused had suspended sentence for violent disorder, two years of which was reactivated, meaning he will serve five years in jail

Accused was caught with cocaine for sale or supply in Carrigrohane in January last year.

A Cork man who tipped over and scattered a bucket of drugs on waste ground and tried to flee gardaí has been jailed.

John Heaphy, with an address at 40 Barrack Street, Cork, was caught with cocaine for sale or supply in Carrigrohane in January last year.

Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a three-year jail term on him for this at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. And because he had a suspended sentence hanging over him at the time, two years of that sentence was reactivated and made consecutive.

The 38-year-old admitted having this drug for sale or supply on January 9, 2024, at Inchigaggin House, Carrigrohane, Co Cork. 

Judge Sheehan sentenced John Heaphy for having cocaine for sale or supply. Detective Garda Rory Fogarty said the accused fled from gardaí and was followed and seemed to be discarding items from a bucket across ground strewn with rubble. The items which were discarded turned out to be cocaine.

Judge Sheehan noted in respect of John Heaphy: “He entered an early plea of guilty. He has a previous conviction for having drugs for sale or supply.

“He previously got two and a half years for a violent disorder and that sentence was suspended.

“He is married with five children. He grew up in Knocknaheeny and moved to Ballicollig, although that may be an address of convenience at the moment.

“It is a serious Sec 15 [drug-dealing] case. He was actively involved in dealing drugs.

“I have some sympathy for him in relation to his family. The fact that he carried this out on a suspended sentence is an aggravating factor. And he does not appear to have any evidence of addressing his alcohol difficulties.” 

Judge Sheehan said he would revoke the suspension on two years of the two-and-a-half years suspended term that was imposed previously for the violent disorder offence. 

In such circumstances, it is mandatory that this sentence is consecutive to the three years, leaving him with a total prison term of five years.

Jessica Kelleher, defence barrister, said the accused indicated his guilty plea before the trial date. She said there was no getting away from the fact it was not a very favourable probation report but she said he had very little education and had cognitive difficulties.