Drug-dealer had a stroke while awaiting sentencing, court hears
The 42-year-old man was caught with over €17,000 worth of cannabis and more than €4,000 of amphetamines at his home in Blackpool, Cork. File picture
A 42-year-old man who confessed to drug-dealing in Cork City suffered a stroke when he was awaiting sentencing in his case.
The case had been adjourned last year for sentencing but now back at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Dermot Sheehan has been told that the defendant Bart Grabowski suffered a stroke in the meantime.
While he was at risk of a 10-year minimum sentence, he has now been given a fully suspended four-year sentence. Detective Garda Ruairí McGovern said the case had been adjourned for a probation report on the accused in May 2025.
“He had health difficulties in between times — he had a stroke. He has not come to garda attention since (he was caught with drugs in July 2023),” the detective said.
Asked if the gardaí had any concerns about the defendant for the future, Det. Garda McGovern said they did not have concerns going forward. He reminded Judge Sheehan of the background to the case.
The 42-year-old man was caught with over €17,000 worth of cannabis and more than €4,000 of amphetamines at his home at Seminary Road in Blackpool, Cork.
Defence senior counsel Jane Hyland said: “He was heavily addicted to speed and spent a number of months at Tabor Lodge and is clean of drugs for the last four months. Unfortunately, he came out of Tabor Lodge and suffered a stroke.
“He has been told now that he must stay off drugs, otherwise he will die. He is 122 days clean now. He is living with his dog, living a reclusive life.”
The most serious charge to which Bart Grabowski pleaded guilty was one of having cannabis and amphetamines for sale or supply to others at a time when their combined value exceeded €13,000. That charge can carry a minimum 10-year sentence unless the sentencing judge finds that there are exceptional circumstances.
He had the drugs at his home address at Seminary Road, Blackpool, Cork, on July 23, 2023.
Drugs were found following a search under warrant and that Mr Grabowski co-operated by showing gardaí where the drugs were.
Also found at the time were packages for deals and a weighing scales. Messages on his phone indicated that he was selling €50 deal bags. He was addicted to amphetamines at the time.
“He is a Polish national living in Ireland for many years. He lost his job in a hospital and had no previous convictions. The court of appeal has indicated that it is possible in exceptional circumstances to deal with matters such as this on a non-custodial basis.
“I assess the headline sentence at six years. Having regard to his signed plea, I will reduce it to four years. In the totally exceptional circumstances of this case I will suspend the sentence in its entirety,” Judge Sheehan said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
