Louth student avoids prison sentence for storing and dealing drugs
Judge Dara Hayes sentenced him to two concurrent terms of three-and-a-half years and suspended both for three-and-a-half years.
Last April, the court heard that the defendant is studying Music and Computer Science at Maynooth University. He had been struggling for money after failing first year and having to pay full fees.
He was holding most of the drugs for someone else. He was given money and some drugs to sell himself as payment for storing them. He was aged 19 at the time.
Gda Emma Kilroe testified that on July 25, 2023, gardaí searched Mr Cole's home at Townley Manor where he lived with his brother and sister.
In an upstairs bedroom a sports bag was found. It contained 1.51kg of cannabis valued €30,228 and 4.27g of cocaine worth €299.32. Gardaí also discovered a weighing scale and bags.
The accused was present at the search and following his arrest made admissions during interview at Drogheda Garda Station. He wouldn't name other people involved.
There were no previous convictions, nor had he come to adverse attention since.
It was submitted by counsel that the accused had been prevailed upon to hold these drugs for 'more sinister elements in the community'.
The case had been put back to allow him complete exams.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the adjourned date the court had 11 urinalysis reports from January 9 last to July 3 and all were negative, as well as the defendant's exam results.
Judge Hayes said that the Probation Service had assessed Mr Cole at low risk of reoffending.
A report noted that he was the youngest of three children, worked part-time in a local shop and had strong ties to his church.
The judge remarked that by any measure it was a substantial quantity of drugs. The defendant had been dealing to a small scale as well as storing drugs.
He remained a very young man. There was a very positive probation report and testimonials.
Judges Hayes said that an immediate custodial sentence was not required.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, July 7, 2000: Courtroom fight, Ballybunion runs out of beer & Kelly talks GAA Presidency
Brawl breaks out in Tralee courtroom A mass brawl erupted in Tralee District Court on Wednesday morning moments after four defendants, including a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, were sentenced for their involvement in a high speed car chase through the town during which a Garda patrol vehicle was rammed. The incident appeared to be sparked when a woman who had been sitting in the public gallery attacked the girl, who had been the only defendant not to receive a custodial sentence. Within seconds, between 12 and 15 members of the public were fighting, with punches being thrown as people climbed over the court benches to join in the fracas. In the midst of the melee, the girl was pushed or struck to the ground. As the rest of the courtroom looked on in amazement, five Gardaí attempted to restore order. At least one man involved in the fight tried unsuccessfully to punch a Garda. One man was arrested as a result of the incident. As he was handcuffed and led away, he shouted-obscenities at both the legal system and the Gardai who he accused of trying to lynch him. When the fighting broke out, Judge Humphrey Kelleher immediately left the courtroom. The case, which arose out of an incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning, had earlier been described as extremely serious by prosecuting Inspector Barry O'Rourke, who said that it was part of the current rash of car thefts plaguing Tralee. Ballybunion runs out of beer during Irish Open Bring back the Murphy's Irish Open as soon as possible! That was the unanimous verdict this week from Ballybunion's business community — particularly its publicans, many of whom ran out of beer on Saturday night as thousands of thirsty punters thronged the North Kerry resort over the weekend. Ballybunion's debut as host club for the 2000 Irish Open was widely regarded as a resounding success. Murphy's Managing Director, Padraic Liston, declared it 'the best ever' as he handed the winner's trophy to 29-year-old Swedish golfer Patrik Sjöland beside the 18th green on Sunday afternoon. Already, the business people of the town have declared that they want the tournament back within the next few years. But committee member Fintan Scannell said the club must wait until agronomist Tom Kavanagh assesses what damage was done to the course by the estimated 40,000 spectators who followed the tournament over four days. Chairman of Ballybunion Development Company Kevin O'Callaghan said everyone involved in the tournament, particularly the Gardaí, who drew up an excellent traffic plan, could take a bow this weekend. "Ballybunion has proven itself now and there is no reason why we couldn't host another major golf tournament in the future," he said. A spectacular fireworks display and a street theatre production on Saturday night brough thousands of people into the town after the day's golf. Treasurer of the local vinter association, John Dee, said it was the biggest weekend the town had experienced in over thirty years. "I've never seen anything like the crowds. We had run out of cider, Budweiser and Heineken on Saturday night and so did other pubs. From a vintners point of view, we'd love to have it back. Fintan Scannell said the golf club may now set its sights on hosting the next Walker Cup in 2005. Kelly to seek GAA Presidency Kerry's Sean Kelly, current chairman of the Munster Council confirmed to The Kerryman on Wednesday that he would be allowing his name go forward for Presidency of the GAA in two years time. Mr Kelly, who withdrew from the race last year in order to give former Minister Council chairman Noel Walsh a 'free run', said that upon withdrawing from the race then, he had indicated that it was his intention to run for the Presidency next time round. "Once I am nominated by the Kerry County Board, I will be going for the Presidency," he said. "We have never had a Kerry President of the Association and if I'm nominated, I will be making an all-out effort to be elected. The nomination is not due to come up for another year but it's fairly well accepted that I would run.'
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Irish Times
Teenager charged with arson of house shows no remorse, court hears
A 14-year-old boy showed no remorse for allegedly taking part in a firebomb attack that destroyed an innocent family's home in Dublin and killed their pet husky trapped in the blaze, a court heard. The teenager, charged with arson of the house on Landen Road, Ballyfermot, which was left gutted on May 21st, was denied bail on Saturday. He was remanded to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus after appearing before Judge Maire Conneely at Dublin District Court. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile with the right to anonymity, made no reply when charged in advance of his court appearance after he was deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. READ MORE Objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the case, Garda Alan McGinty recounted that at 2.28am, gardaí responded to a report of a domestic fire at the home. They learned that one resident was asleep in the livingroom, but he woke to the sound of glass smashing and found the room was on fire. The man's wife, son and their dog were in the property at the time. The family got out but the pet husky 'was still trapped inside and died in the fire'. The court heard the innocent family's home was 'totally' destroyed in the attack, after which a witness overheard a male yell 'wrong house'. Evidence was given that two males in balaclavas arrived at the house on an electric bicycle, and the defendant was allegedly the driver, while his passenger carried and threw the burning petrol can. Images of the scene were handed over to the court, which also heard there was CCTV footage, but the judge held it was unnecessary to view the video. She noted allegations that a jerrycan of petrol was bought at a service station three hours before the incident before being brought to and hidden in bushes at a building in the Dolphin's Barn area. It was alleged that shortly before 2:30am, two males arrived in a taxi, put on balaclavas and travelled to Landen Road on an electric bicycle. Garda McGinty alleged that they could be tracked on CCTV and, after the arson, they returned to the Dolphin's Barn area and handed the electric bicycle back to another person. It was alleged that the boy and another male went away in a taxi and the vehicle's dashcam footage has been retrieved, leading to his identification. The jacket he allegedly wore in the taxi was found during a search of his home. Garda McGinty stated that during the interview, the teenager, who has no prior criminal convictions, showed no remorse. The boy, supported in court by his mother and other family members, sat silently at the side of the courtroom and has not yet indicated a plea. The judge noted that no bail terms would alleviate the concerns of the investigation team. A decision has yet to be made on his trial venue but defence barrister Kevin McCrave submitted it was likely the case would go to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. He submitted that refusal of bail would mean he could be held for a year before his trial and disrupt his education. He urged the judge to note that the teenager would abide by a myriad of strict conditions available to the court. Referencing the Children's Act, he cited the law, which sets out that detention should be a last resort. He stressed the teen had the presumption of innocence, no prior convictions, history of drug abuse or failing to appear in court and there was no witness intimidation evidence. Judge Conneely held, however, that the garda had established a case for refusing bail and remanded the boy in custody to appear at the Children's Court on Wednesday.
Sunday World
15 hours ago
- Sunday World
OAP who slashed neighbour's neck with Stanley knife in row over dogs avoids jail
Gary Healy, with an address at Palmerstown Woods, Clondalkin, Dublin, left his neighbour with cuts to his neck and arms after the assault A 69-year-old man who slashed at his neighbour with a Stanley knife after a dispute over trespassing dogs has had his four-month custodial sentence replaced with a peace bond on appeal. Gary Healy, with an address at Palmerstown Woods, Clondalkin, Dublin, left his neighbour with cuts to his neck and arms after the assault. Healy had pleaded guilty in the District Court to assault causing harm contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th The District Court Appeals Court yesterday heard that on June 28, 2023, the victim went to the home of Mr Healy in order to speak to him following an earlier argument between Healy and the injured party's wife. Garda Shay Leonard, giving the facts on behalf of a colleague, told the court that there had been a disagreement between the neighbours concerning dogs trespassing in gardens. At the front doorstep of the house, Healy produced a Stanley knife and slashed at the injured party, the court heard. The injured party received minor injuries including a 7cm cut to his neck, two 5cm cuts to his forearms and a 2cm cut to his hand. Defence counsel for Healy, David Staunton BL, said that his client was reacting to the presence of the injured party at his doorstep and that he felt threatened when he heard someone come to the house. He said that Healy had lived a 'blameless existence' until this incident, where he had the 'momentary thought process' to pick up the blade, which he lived to regret. Mr Staunton said that Healy, who worked for 40 years as a porter in Temple Street Hospital, made the 'incredibly foolish and stupid decision' to arm himself in a panic. He presented letters and testimonials in support of Healy from members of his community and said that Healy has sought to avoid the injured party since the incident. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted that something more serious could have happened and said the injured party has every right to be aggrieved and upset by the attack. He said he accepted Healy's actions were an overreaction and that 'he let himself, his family and his neighbours down on this occasion'. Judge Dunphy decided to replace Healy's four-month custodial sentence with a peace bond lasting 12 months. He also ordered that €3,000 in compensation be paid to the injured party, or to the injured party's chosen charity if he does not choose to accept it. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
