'We will come deep under cover': Cork gardaí to turn off flashing blue lights on curfew checks

Cork District Court heard that the flashing blue lights were causing distress in the neighbourhood

Sergeant Davis said it would not be a problem to turn off the lights on the curfew checks at Leesdale on Model Farm Road. File photo

Blue flashing lights of a patrol car that are bothering neighbours of a man on a legal curfew will be switched off on future visits.

Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan raised the matter again at Cork District Court on Tuesday where Sergeant Gearóid Davis remarked: “We will come deep under cover — there is no problem.” 

Mr Cuddigan said that his client, Dominic Smyth, expressed concern that the flashing blue lights were causing distress in the neighbourhood of the 52-year-old man who is on bail on a heroin dealing charge. 

Sergeant Davis said it would not be a problem to turn off the lights on the curfew checks at Leesdale on Model Farm Road.

Judge David Waters said: “It is not my job to regulate what the gardaí are doing when performing their legal duties.” Judge Waters adjourned the case until November 16 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Earlier this month, Mr Cuddigan said: “The squad car arriving at night time with blue lights flashing is causing problems when the car arrives in the estate where there are some elderly residents.” 

The accused man, 52-year-old Dominic Smyth resides at Greenfields, Leesdale, Model Farm Road, Cork. 

He is charged with possession of drugs and having drugs for the purpose of sale or supply. It is alleged that €12,000 worth of Diamorphine (heroin) was found in a car at around 9.30pm on February 23 at the M8 motorway at Ballinvinny, Glanmire, County Cork.

Bail conditions include a curfew between 10pm and 8am, signing at Togher garda station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, providing a mobile phone number and not leaving the jurisdiction.