'The ball is in your court', judge warns Cork man who avoids jail for selling cocaine for profit

Accused was 19 and had no addictions when he was caught with cocaine and cash and admitted to gardaí he sold the drug for the sole purpose of making a profit, court told

Accused admitted selling cocaine for five months before he was caught.

A young man who was caught dealing cocaine for profit on Pouladuff Road in Cork at a time when he had no addictions admitted to gardaí he had been selling the drug for five months before he was caught.

Now, he has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Detective Garda Bryan English testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that drugs unit officers searched Seán Myers, at Sarah Ville Place, Ballyphehane, Cork, when they met him at Pouladuff Road Cork, on July 5, 2024.

In the course of the search of him and the car he was driving, they found €987 worth of cocaine in 21 deal bags ready for sale. They also seized €1,365 in cash in the car.

“He cooperated form the beginning and admitted having the drugs for sale or supply. He was conveyed to Togher Garda Station.

“A follow-up search was carried out at his home at Sarahville Place. A further €17,000 worth of cocaine was found, together with €2,480 in cash. Also found was large quantity of plastic zip-lock bags and digital weighing scales.

“He was 19 at the time. He was working and living at home. When initially stopped, he said it was for the sole purpose of selling for profit. He admitting preparing, wrapping and weighing the drugs.

“He had no addictions and did not take controlled drugs. He has no previous convictions and he has not come to Garda attention since,” Det Garda English said.

Defence barrister Peter O’Flynn said: “He admitted selling cocaine for five months before he was caught. He said there would be evidence of this on his phone.

“There is a reference from his employer saying he is a hardworking young man. Since arrest, he has become something of a recluse.” 

Before Det Garda English left the witness box, Mr O’Flynn asked him: “Would you accept he has learned his lesson and is unlikely to come to Garda attention again?” The detective did accept that proposition.

Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of three years, which she suspended.

The judge said while the young man was fully cooperative with the search and investigation, it was a relatively significant amount of cocaine.

“You were actively involved in selling it you and you were involving yourself with dangerous people and and creating danger for others. It is at the higher end. You were very young to be involved in this kind of offending.

“You have come forward on a signed plea of guilty. You left school early, probably too early. You are capable of becoming a productive member of society. You are employed and attending that job every day. You have not come to attention since. You have a supportive family with you today. You are still a very young man.

“If you come back before the court you will be at risk of that sentence. The ball is in your court. It is up to you to stay away from the drugs trade,” Judge Boyle warned.