Cork window cleaner caught with cocaine 'made stupid mistake', court hears

Judge said for a father of two children to be doing cocaine was 'an absolute disgrace'

Judge ordered defendant to make a donation of €150 to St Vincent de Paul and struck out the matter.

A window cleaner from Cork who was caught in possession of cocaine at his local Garda station “made a stupid mistake”, according to his defence solicitor.

Sergeant Majella O’Sullivan told Youghal District Court that 35-year-old David Gleeson, of Carleton Village, Youghal, Co Cork, attended Youghal Garda Station on December 29, 2024. 

While he was at the station, a routine search was carried out and cocaine valued at €50 was discovered on his person. Analysis by Forensic Science Ireland confirmed the seized substance to be cocaine.

Defence solicitor James Moore said Gleeson was a window cleaner who had never been in a court before. He said his client was the father of two children and had made a “stupid mistake” after “too many drinks”.  

Judge Miriam Walsh said for a father of two children to be doing cocaine was “an absolute disgrace”. 

Given Gleeson had no previous convictions, she ordered him to make a donation of €150 to St Vincent de Paul and struck out the matter.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme