Dundalk man pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and cocaine

A local man who sprinted away as gardaí followed him in an unmarked patrol car and was seen to fire a container of drugs into a field, was subsequently jailed for two years after a drugs raid on his home, less than two months later, Dundalk Circuit Court heard last Friday.

Laurence O’Connor (32) of Aghameen Park, Dundalk pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis herb and cocaine for sale or supply on the Inner Relief Road, Dundalk on March 15th 2018 but his lawyer argued he has turned his life around since his release from prison.

The court was told that a member of the local Garda drugs unit was on mobile patrol in an unmarked car, when he saw the defendant loitering near a car performing a u-turn at Aghameen Park in Muirhevnamor. 

Laurence O’Connor, who was holding a dark coloured container, began jogging away but on looking back and seeing the patrol car he began to sprint towards Finnabair Crescent and he ran through a gap onto the Inner Relief Road before turning into wasteland near Creative Spark and throwing the container about 30 feet away.

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It was recovered following a search and was found to contain 106 one gram deal bags of cannabis herb and a number of bags of cocaine, all of which had a total street value of almost €3,800.

Judge Dara Hayes heard Mr. O’Connor had 77 previous convictions and had been sentenced to four years with two years suspended, for a similar offence, a month and a half after the offending before the court.

The Garda giving evidence at the sentencing hearing said at the time, the defendant appeared to be living an elaborate lifestyle, with designer clothes and holidays abroad.

However, she confirmed to the Defence that his client has not come to garda attention since his release from prison.

The barrister added his client is no longer dealing and has completely turned his life around, and May 20th 2018, when his home was raided, was the last date he committed any offence.

Judge Hayes imposed a three and a half year sentence, which he suspended in full on the 32 year old entering a good behaviour bond, and placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 15 months and attending all appointments.

However, Judge Hayes warned him that if he comes before the courts "for the possession of a scraping of anything you will serve that sentence".