A judge told Trim Circuit Court that a 27-year-old man found with quantities of cocaine and ketamine along with a weighing scales in a Caddy van parked opposite his house had a “mobile shop” for the sale of drugs. Judge John Martin was speaking in a case in which Cameron Coyne of Kilbreena Crescent, Dunboyne pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply in August 2023. While he put the sentencing hearing back to another date the judge told defending barrister James O’Brien that his client was “very much in jeopardy” of a prison sentence.
Only a short time before this present case, he had been in trouble for drug possession and notwithstanding that pending “he goes at it again”. Detective Garda James Morris said he obtained search warrants on 28 th August 2023 and were executed at the accused’s address. A search was conducted at a vehicle in the driveway of the house and keys belonging to a VW vehicle were found in it. These keys opened a VW Caddy vehicle parked across the road. He and colleagues found a large quantity of cocaine and ketamine in it along with a weighing scales over the passenger seat. Identification belonging to the accused was also found. The items were shown to the accused and he was cautioned but made no reply. When he was arrested and brought to Ashbourne Garda Station he was interviewed but maintained a “no comment” position.
The white powder seized was confirmed to be cocaine and had a weight of 36.197 grammes which had a “market value” of €3,619.70 and the ketamine weighed 25.4186 gr with a value of €1,524.48. The detective said the accused had 11 previous convictions including obstruction (2024, taken into consideration), possession of drugs (taken into consideration), possession of drugs for sale or supply (€350 fine), two traffic matters 2020. There were also offences of having no motor insurance, dangerously defective vehicle, using CVR vehicle without a certificate, and a further possession of drugs charge.
The Garda told Mr O’Brien that the accused, who has a partner and two children, had difficulty with drugs in the past and had availed of addiction services. The judge was shown letters from the accused’s mother along with a letter offering him employment. Mr O’Brien said his client had engaged with addiction services last year but that this was interrupted for a time because of his incarceration. He had undergone three urinalysis tests and the barrister said this was “not as complete as I would like”. His client had had financial difficulties and the cost of each sample is €200.
A letter from his partner offered the opinion that he had made “significant positive progress”. The employment offer had been made two weeks before the hearing but he had not taken up that offer pending the outcome of the court case. He realised that the offence was a serious one and had demonstrated a commitment to try and deal with drug difficulties. The judge said the letter offering employment was not signed but Mr O’Brien said that that offer had been sent by email.
The judge said that the fact the accused was in trouble over drugs in July 2022 didn’t mean anything to him. Those matters were dealt with in September 2024 but then he was again caught by the Gardai with drugs in his possession for sale or supply. The judge put the case back for further consideration to 20th of this month to find out if the potential employer knows “that they are employing a recidivist”, and to seek clarification from the Matt Talbot Community Trust about the provision of free urinalysis to the accused.
