Limerick man has time added onto his prison sentence for offence committed during a garda house search

A YOUNG man who was jailed for four years just one month ago, has had two months added onto his sentence for attempting to impede evidence during a search of his home.   

On February 4,  James O'Sullivan (26) of Hazel Avenue, Dromcollogher was sentenced by Limerick Circuit Court to four and a half years in prison with the final six months suspended.   

This was in relation to assault and possession of drugs for sale or supply. 

At the Circuit Court sentencing in Newcastle West on February 4, the court  heard that Mr O'Sullivan had fled the jurisdiction and left for the UK, requiring a bench warrant for his arrest. 

On February 24, Newcastle West District Court heard evidence about  the day gardaí searched his home in relation to the drugs seizure and a new charge for impeding evidence. 

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During the search of his home, gardaí seized €11,300 worth of MDMA, cocaine and ketamine, and Mr O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply.

The court heard that during the search, Mr O'Sullivan attempted to break his mobile phone to stop it from being seized and that gardaí formed the view that this was done to impede evidence. 

Inspector Gearóid Thompson said: “He was uncooperative at the scene.”

Mr O'Sullivan's solicitor Michael O'Donnell told Judge Carol Anne Coolican that at the time of the offence, his client's life was “in a bad way.” 

The court heard that Mr O'Sullivan is currently in prison and that he has been in custody since the middle of last year. 

He was  convicted and Judge Coolican imposed a custodial sentence of two months for attempting to impede evidence, with another charge taken into consideration.