A 45-year-old man, who was arrested at a house "well-known to gardaí as a location where drugs are sold" in Limerick, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession of cocaine for sale and supply.
Barry Sheehy, with an address at St Munchin's Street, St Mary’s Park in the city, was arrested at another house on the same street on 18 September 2023.
Limerick Circuit Court was told that gardaí forced entry into 39 St Munchin’s Street, which was fortified with iron bars, and found the accused sitting on a sofa with a fire lighting in the fireplace.
A jar containing cocaine, an ice-cream container with €495 in cash and coins, and a box of latex gloves were seized.
In total, 51g of cocaine, valued at €3,591, was found at the house.
John O’Sullivan, BL, on behalf of the prosecution, told the court that the house where Sheehy was arrested was "well-known to gardaí" as an address where drugs are sold.
He told the sentencing hearing that the windows and doors of the property were fortified with iron bars and it was frequented by drug addicts.
Mr O’Sullivan said that addicts were sitting in the front garden when gardaí arrived with a search warrant.
Defence barrister, Amy Nix, BL, said that Sheehy "welcomed being caught by gardaí because it broke the cycle".
She said the father of three fell into drug dealing following the break-up of his marriage.
The accused "is not at the top of the drug industry in Limerick" and "is not living the high life on the back of drug activity," Ms Nix told the court.
She said that Sheehy is "embarrassed and regretful" of the charges against him and his remorse is reflected in his early guilty plea.
In sentencing, Judge Colin Daly said that drug dealing "is not a victimless crime" and its impact is felt across society.
"The scourge of drugs to drug users and families is well known," he added.
The judge said the accused had returned to his community and used "a known drug facility" to carry out his business.
Judge Daly took into account Sheehy’s early guilty plea, the fact that he did not appear to be living a high life from drug dealing, and his previous history of employment as a welder.
He imposed a sentence of 18 months for the possession of cocaine for sale or supply, and a 12-month sentence for money laundering, to run concurrently.
The judge backdated the sentences to last November when Sheehy was taken into custody.
A third charge of drug possession was taken into consideration.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of the cash seized during the raid to the State.
He also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia.
