Cork teen bit garda during arrest after cannabis seized on train
The cannabis seized at Mallow train station had a street value of €17,900.
A 15-year-old who was caught with €17,900 worth of cannabis at Mallow train station abused the arresting garda as a ‘faggot’ and said in other circumstances he would hunt him down.
Judge Helen Boyle sent the teenager to Oberstown for 18 months and said: “You cannot put an old head on young shoulders. You had potential in primary school. But you were going to secondary school under the influence of cannabis.”
The accused cannot be identified as he is a juvenile. He entered guilty pleas to having drugs for sale or supply and assault causing harm on September 17, 2024, at Mallow train station.
Detective Garda Aidan Long said gardaí were on duty at Mallow train station when the Dublin to Cork train pulled in at around 6pm. They entered the train and there was a strong smell of cannabis.
The 15-year-old and another young person were sitting in a carriage and Det Garda Long approached and saw a backpack on the seat. There was also a green Dealz shopping bag that the two youths were pushing under the seat.
“I sat down opposite them. I informed them of strong smell of cannabis. I informed him (the accused) of our intention to search him. I took one of the bags and found two cannabis bags inside. He spoke in an aggressive tone.
“Outside the main entrance he got aggressive, he placed hands in his pockets. I grabbed his forearm. He began to break free. I brought him to the floor. He bit forcefully on my left inner thigh. It drew blood and caused extensive bruising.
“The accused said: ‘You are a faggot. If this was a different situation I would hunt you down. But I am just a sick little kid,’" the detective said.
The cannabis had a street value of €17,900. In analysis of CCTV from Heuston Station in Dublin and on to streets in the city, the defendant could be seen collecting the package in Dublin city. The total time spent by the two youths in Dublin amounted to one hour and 36 minutes.
Judge Boyle said: “I have considered a number of documents, including a letter written by you to the court. I have considered and read the victim impact statement and I have read the probation report.
“This was a significant and serious amount of cannabis. You spent a short time in Dublin and travelled back to Cork with the drugs.
“Cannabis can kickstart psychosis in young people. You know that cannabis use has ruined most of your teenage years — putting you in Oberstown and keeping you away from your mother and father.
“You wanted to get nice things for yourself. You see now that it wasn’t the way to do this. You invited danger into your life and the lives of others.
“You bit the detective garda on his thigh, breaking skin and causing bruising — it is an appalling thing to do. As with any cut to skin it causes severe anxiety. A person just doing their job should be treated with respect.
“You were very young. You were 15. You seem to have been doing your level best not to cooperate with people who were trying to help you. In recent weeks you are beginning to show some understanding.
“Both of your parents are hardworking people. You are doing well in Oberstown. You have done a lot of courses. You say that you apologise to the guard from the bottom of your heart.
“Being involved in the drugs trade has been a disaster for you and everyone you became involved with. Detention is warranted.
“It would be a sentence of four or five years if you were an adult. I will impose two and a half years and I will suspend the final 12 months. You will be released when you are 18.” J
ane Hyland defence senior counsel said: “He wants to make his parents proud and he wants to be a role model (to younger siblings).”
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