'I'm f****d now,' said Limerick man caught mixing cocaine when gardai raided his grocer's

A LIMERICK city man who was mixing cocaine in a bowl in the back of a small grocery shop said “I’m f****d now” after gardai burst in and discovered over €200,000 worth of the drug.

Gardai also found over €50,000 hidden in a couch at the property in St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park in the city.

Declan Sheehy, age 58, of Janemount Park, Corbally pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine valued at €208,271 for sale or supply, two money laundering charges and having drugs paraphernalia including a knife with cocaine on it and a weighing scales.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was shocking that a small grocery shop in the city for generations wound up being used as a front for the sale and supply of cocaine.

“Limerick city has been blighted with drugs. This is somebody considered upstanding in the community and who was operating this nefarious business,” said Judge O’Donnell, who added that he had “no doubt” Mr Sheehy knows the damage drugs have caused to the city of Limerick and “he has contributed to it”.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Adrian Cahill. Ms Buckley put it to the garda that Mr Sheehy was mixing cocaine in a bowl in the kitchen at the back of the grocer’s when gardai entered and was “caught in the act”. “Yes,” said Garda Cahill.

The court heard when gardai asked “Who owned it?”, Mr Sheehy replied: “It’s mine. I’m f****d now. It’s cocaine.”

Garda Cahill said he believes Mr Sheehy was running a wholesale drug distribution business from the kitchen of his legitimate business and profiting from it himself. The garda added that Mr Sheehy has no mortgage on his house and “owns it outright”. 

READ MORE: Inmate found dead in cell at Limerick Prison had heroin in his system, inquest hears

Mr Sheehy was represented by Michael Bowman SC, appearing with Pat Barriscale BL, instructed by John Herbert, solicitor. Mr Bowman said his client, a father-of-four, takes full responsibility and made admissions at the scene in colourful terms.

“He is not in the first flushes of youth. He will be in his 60s when he is released - that is a consequence of the decisions he has taken,” said Mr Bowman, who added that Mr Sheehy has no previous for drugs offences.

Judge O’Donnell said it was a significant case and a significant find before imposing a seven and a half year jail sentence with the last 18 months suspended for having over €200,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply.

Five year concurrent sentences were handed down for money laundering and having drugs paraphernalia. All other matters were taken into consideration. The cash was forfeited to the State.