'Tough young fella' admits to dealing drugs in Cork town

Judge Sinéad Behan said: 'He flushed cannabis down the loo — that is pretty hardcore. And the evidence is that he was a person of significance in dealing in Kinsale.'

Gardaí told Cork Circuit Criminal Court the young man went to where cannabis was concealed behind a tree and removed part of the stash. File picture

A 21-year-old man who was active in drug-dealing in Cork was remanded in custody by a sentencing judge who said that the circumstances of the dealing and his approach to gardaí were “pretty hardcore”.

21-year-old Amos Lucibello who was living at Luí Na Gréine, Connogue, Kinsale, County Cork, was remanded in custody by Judge Sinéad Behan at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. 

Detective Garda Colin O’Mahony said gardaí carried out surveillance at an isolated area at Ballinacubby, Kinsale, where he arrived on the night of March 28, 2023, and was overheard by gardaí on his phone arranging a drug transaction. 

The young man went to where cannabis was concealed behind a tree and removed part of the stash.

“He became nervous and irritable. He ran from the scene. We gave chase and repeatedly requested him to stop. We lost sight of him and he hid down behind a wall,” Det. Garda O’Mahony said.

The total value of the cannabis exceeded €9,000.

When gardaí arrived at the defendant’s home he locked himself in his bedroom and refused to come out. When gardaí entered they found €1,100 in cash and a mobile phone. There was a sign of a small amount of cannabis being flushed down the toilet.

“He made admissions. He refused to open his mobile phone or to provide the PIN for the phone. He is an Italian national, in Ireland since the age of four. He is working in construction.

“He has been a significant figure in the drugs scene, selling drugs in Kinsale for a number of years. I would dispute his contention that he was under threat to do this. There is no evidence of any threat,” Det. Garda O’Mahony said.

Judge Sinéad Behan said: “From what I can gather, this is a tough young fella. He ran from the guards. He locked them out of his room. He flushed cannabis down the loo — that is pretty hardcore. And the evidence is that he was a person of significance in dealing in Kinsale."

The judge said she would like to see details of a plan for residential treatment. Remanding him in custody until March 5, Judge Behan said: “He can see what it is like — where this life is going to lead him.” 

Defence barrister, Abigail Creed, said the defendant moved away from Kinsale and was now living with his father in Bandon and working full-time in construction. 

She said he entered a signed plea of guilty to the charges against him, including having cannabis for sale or supply to others. Ms Creed said: “There was a level of immaturity. He had serious cannabis addiction at the time.”