Increase in young Limerick men being 'lured' into drug dealing

THE INCREASE in young men from “hardworking families” being “lured” into drug dealing to pay off debts to serious criminals was laid bare in two cases heard simultaneously in Limerick Circuit Court.

In the first case, the court heard how the defendant was under pressure to hold and sell drugs as his family had been “threatened”. A detective garda said this was becoming “more common”.

The accused’s barrister said he was even provided with a mobile phone with the numbers of his “customer base” already saved in the phone.

In the second case, the man arrested by gardai was “frightened to say” who owned the drugs. Neither of the two men before Limerick Circuit Court this month had “trappings of wealth”.

In one courtroom, Judge Tom O’Donnell was hearing city cases. Next door, Judge Catherine Staines presided over county cases.

Before Judge O’Donnell was a 22-year-old who pleaded to having over €18,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply.

Prosecuting barrister, John O'Sullivan, instructed by state solicitor Padraig Mawe, said the State was satisfied he was selling cannabis “on behalf of more significant persons”. The defendant had no previous convictions for drugs offences.

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The man's barrister, Jack Nicholas said his client has ADHD and doesn’t like how his prescription drugs make him feel so turned to cannabis to help him sleep.

“He started smoking too much and got in trouble over monies owed. He was under pressure to sell (drugs). His family were threatened. A customer base was provided on a mobile phone,” said Mr Nicholas.

Judge O’Donnell asked the investigating officer - Detective Garda Sean Twomey - about the “pattern of families being threatened?”.

“Yes, unfortunately it is becoming more common,” said Det Garda Twomey.

In his summation, Judge O’Donnell spoke of people involved in drugs getting into debt and forced into sale or supply “becoming more prevalent”.

The judge also said being forced to hold drugs as part of payment in settling a debt is “rather chilling”. The 21-year-old received a four year suspended sentence.

At the same time in the court next door, prosecuting barrister, Lily Buckley, instructed by state solicitor Aidan Judge, outlined to Judge Staines how gardai caught a 31-year-old man “bagging” up drugs in his daughter’s bedroom. He was charged with having almost €60,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply.

The court heard the drugs were not his, he was “frightened to say who it was” and he had to “hold the drugs to pay off a debt”.

His barrister, Mark Nicholas said his client comes from a “hardworking family”. He said the accused lost his job over drugs which he got “on tick”.

Mr Nicholas said the defendant was “lured” into holding the €60,000 worth of drugs and selling the cannabis to pay off a drug debt. He was to get €1,500 “knocked off” a €3,000 drug debt. The barrister said the man ended up homeless, living on the streets but is now two and a half years drug free.

Judge Staines said the defendant “got involved in this incident to reduce the drug debt”. The judge imposed a five year prison sentence with the last four years suspended.