Cork man convicted of drug-dealing after cocaine and cannabis found in mobile home

Accused planned to build a home for his family on the site and he 'just needs to get on with his life'

During the search three bags of cocaine were recovered valued at €210, as well as cannabis valued at €352, deal bags, and a weighing scales. File photo

A Cork man whose mobile home was searched on foot of a search warrant has pleaded guilty in the district court to possession of illegal drugs for sale or supply.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that a warrant was obtained to search the mobile home of Thomas Young, aged 27, of Derryclough Lower, Drinagh, Co Cork. The search was carried out at 7.30pm on January 31, 2024.

During the search, three bags of cocaine were recovered valued at €210, as well as cannabis valued at €352, deal bags, and a weighing scales. The court was told that Young admitted possession and possession for sale or supply and that he had one previous conviction for drug-driving from 2022.

Flor Murphy, defending, said Young was pleading guilty to one count of sale or supply relating to the cocaine and two counts of possession for cocaine and cannabis. 

Mr Murphy said Young had said it was cannabis he was dealing and it was between himself and two friends who were buying cannabis for each other.

Mr Murphy said Young had told him that the cocaine was a gift and that no tick list or mobile phone for dealing cocaine was found during the search, though his client was pleading guilty to the sale or supply charge.

The court was told Young had lost his job as a lorry driver due to his previous drug-driving conviction and had taken work with a window company. 

He had hurt his back in the new job and had several medical procedures as a result to deal with the back pain which was ongoing.

Young planned to build a home for his family on the site where the mobile home is situated and he “just needs to get on with his life”. 

Mr Murphy added that Young was no longer taking drugs and had engaged with treatment services.

Judge Joanne Carroll said Young was the subject of a search warrant which meant he had come to garda attention. 

She said she was “not sure the State would accept he was only dealing to two friends” and noted that a weighing scales was recovered during the search and there were three bags of cocaine.

The judge said she accepted that Young was now drug-free as there was a significant number of drug-analysis tests that indicated that was the case. She added that Young seemed to have addressed his cannabis issue. 

For possession of cocaine for sale or supply, Young was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months. The charges of possession of cocaine and cannabis were taken into consideration.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.