Man charged with drugs for sale and supply found by Gardai in fireplace
A MAN has been charged with having more than €2,800 worth of drugs for sale or supply after cocaine and a tub of tablets were allegedly found by gardai in a fireplace at a house.
John Paul O’Connor is also alleged to have had another bag of cocaine worth more than €200 on his person when gardai carried out the search in Clondalkin.
Blanchardstown District Court
He was remanded on continuing bail after Judge Gerard Jones accepted jurisdiction to deal with the charges at Blanchardstown District Court.
Mr O’Connor, aged 39, with an address at Foxdene Avenue, Clondalkin, is charged with possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply at Old Tower Crescent on March 8, 2018.
He has not yet entered a plea.
Outlining the allegations, Sgt Maria Callaghan said during a search at a house, gardai entered the living room and observed Mr O’Connor walking away from the fireplace, his hands “covered in black ash”.
On searching the fireplace gardai retrieved two bags of white powder and a tub of 41 tablets, it was alleged. A smaller bag of white powder was found on Mr O’Connor’s person and the combined value of the drugs seized was over €3,100, the court heard.
Sgt Callaghan said the DPP consented to summary disposal of the case at district court level if the judge accepted jurisdiction.
Judge Jones accepted jurisdiction and ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with disclosure material. The accused was remanded on continuing bail to July.
Defence solicitor John O’Doherty made a legal aid application on behalf of the accused, who was unemployed.
Judge Jones granted legal aid and adjourned the case.
