Limerick dealer threw drug-filled sock out the window at gardaí in a ‘panic’

A DRUG dealer is awaiting sentencing following a raid by gardaí at his home in Limerick on August 21, 2023.

Jeffrey O’Callaghan, 27, of Churchfield estate, St Patrick's Road, Singland, threw a drug-filled sock out the window in a panic when he realised that gardaí were going to search his home with a warrant.

The white sock hit the garda and was discovered to contain class A drugs, Limerick District Court heard.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy, representing Mr O’Callaghan, said that the man “panicked” when he saw gardaí, and “landed the product literally in the lap of the gardaí when he jettisoned it out of the window.”

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Upon searching the house, Gardaí found several phones, digital weighing scales and drugs with a street value of €80.

Mr O'Callaghan is being charged with two counts of drug possession and one for the sale and supply of drugs.
Solicitor Darach McCarthy said that the man made “full admissions” to the gardaí.

Limerick District Court heard from prosecuting Sergeant Aisling O’Neill that Mr O’Callaghan has 26 previous convictions - including five for the unlawful sale and supply of drugs, twelve for drug possession, possession of an article, and a public order conviction.

Mr O’Callaghan’s most recent conviction for drugs took place in February 2024.

The man has also been before the circuit court.

Judge Valerie Corcoran asked if the man is “clean off drugs”, to which his solicitor replied that “he may be using cannabis”.

In mitigation Mr McCarthy said that “the gardaí will never find him again in a suspicious situation”, and that Mr O’Callaghan works as a “lollypop man”.

In his current line of work, the man holds up road signs to warn motorists of road works.

Judge Corcoran said that a urine analysis test from Mr O’Callaghan “would be very beneficial” and that she wishes to see a contract of Mr O’Callaghan’s employment before issuing a sentence.

-Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.