A BALLINCOLLIG man caught with over €11,000 worth of cocaine told gardaí he was being paid €200 as a courier to drop it from location A to B.

Michael O’Connell, formerly of Innismore Grove, Ballincollig, who now lives at 27 Aylsbury, Ballincollig,  pleaded guilty to having cocaine for sale or supply at an address at Innishmore Grove, Ballincollig, back on September 24, 2018.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin was hearing details of the background to the case by Garda Brian Holland at the sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court when he said he would give the defendant two options.

He said O’Connell could get an immediate jail term or be remanded in custody until May 1 for a probation report.

Sinead Behan, defence barrister, said the defendant was opting for the probation report. 

Ms Behan said the defendant was facing his responsibilities.

The judge said, “He was an addict and doing this to feed his addiction. 

"I have no idea if he is still an addict. 

"He got nine months for a Section 15 (drug dealing) and here he is again with a Section 15. 

"He is embedded in drug use and is available to act as a courier because of that.

"He is a good worker but he has not done enough to avoid a custodial sentence.” 

The judge will impose sentence on O’Connell on May 1 when the probation report is before the court.