Former welder jailed for activity at ‘known drug facility’ in Limerick city
The court heard that drug addicts were in the front garden of the house
A MAN who was found in a house with iron bars on the windows and doors has been jailed for the unlawful sale or supply of controlled drugs and for money laundering.
A search warrant for 39 St Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park led the Armed Support Unit and the Regional Drugs Unit to a man sitting on a sofa in the living room by a lit fire.
Prosecuting Barrister for the State, John O’Sullivan said that the house was searched on the basis that drug addicts frequent it quite often, and that drug addicts were seen in the front garden of the house.
Barry Sheehy, 45, with an address at a different residence on St Munchin’s Street was found in the vicinity of 51 grams of cocaine and €495 in coins and notes on September 18, 2023, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
The cocaine was distributed in a black glass jar and a latex glove box, and had a total street value of €3,591. The cash and coins were in a white ice cream container. Drug paraphernalia was also found in the house - with black weighing scales on the coffee table.
This, the barrister said, was “strong circumstantial evidence” for the state. Mr Sheehy proceeded to plea guilty to the charges at the earliest possible stage, but refused to explain or give reason for the crimes.
Mr Sheehy was interviewed four times by gardaí but refused to give any information. In garda evidence it was detailed that for each question asked, Mr Sheehy answered “no comment”.
Hearing this, Mr Sheehy - who was wearing a jumper with BOSS inscribed across the front - put his head in his hands.
The court heard that Mr Sheehy has a number of previous convictions including three for the unlawful sale or supply of controlled drugs.
Barrister in Law Amy Nix said in mitigation that Mr Sheehy “certainly is not at the top of the drug industry”, and that the man was drawing social welfare at the time of the crime.
Ms Nix described Mr Sheehy as “a very proud man” who doesn’t want to embarrass his family. The court heard that Mr Sheehy is a father of three.
Ms Nix said that when the man’s marriage broke down, he moved into a “very disadvantaged area”.
The barrister detailed that the man previously worked as a welder and that he would be happy to go back to his trade. The court heard that Mr Sheehy has been in custody since November 5, 2025, and works as an industrial cleaner in prison.
Judge Colin Daly, delivering his sentence, said “this is not a victimless crime”, and that “the scourge of drugs to the community is well known”.
The judge said that Mr Sheehy was “using a known drug facility to carry out his activities”.
“While he was dealing in drugs, he did not appear to be living a high life,” the judge said.
Judge Daly proceeded to convict and sentence Mr Sheehy to 18 months’ imprisonment.
Mr O’Sullivan applied for the forfeiture of the cash to the state and for the destruction of the drug paraphernalia, which the judge granted.
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