Cork man parked near checkpoint and left with Lidl bag containing cannabis worth almost €40,000

Man gets suspened sentence after pleading guilty to having drugs for sale or supply

The bag contained more than €39,000 worth of cannabis.

Gardaí operating a routine checkpoint saw a car stop short of it and the driver walk away with a Lidl shopping bag and followed him to find the bag contained more than €39,000 worth of cannabis.

Garda Ann Roche described this incident at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where Robert O’Rourke, aged 46, of Cathedral Avenue, Shandon, Cork, faced sentencing.

The most serious charge to which he pleaded guilty of was one of having drugs for sale or supply at Cathedral St, Cork, on April 2, 2023, at a time when its street value exceeded €13,000. This charge carries a minimum sentence of ten years unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Garda Roche testified that a routine traffic checkpoint was in place on the day and that officers on duty there saw the defendant pulling in and parking. He then got out and walked away carrying a shopping bag.

When questioned after the stash of drugs were found, he said he had a drugs debt and was transporting the package of drugs to clear some of the debt.

Jane Hyland, defending, said of the accused: “He is terrified of a custodial sentence.” 

Judge Dermot Sheehan said of the evidence, including background reports on the accused: “He has reformed himself completely and he has no previous convictions. He is no longer addicted to drugs. He is in full time employment. This can be regarded as a one-off event in his life.” 

In all the circumstances the judge said a sentence of three years fully suspended was appropriate.