Cork man threw drugs from car after fleeing garda checkpoint

A passenger in a car that was driven at speed from a garda checkpoint threw a bag containing a stash of cannabis from the Volkswagen Golf.

As Corey McAuliffe faced sentence for his part in the possession of €10,000 worth of cannabis for supply, Judge Helen Boyle noted that in effect the driver “legged it” while McAuliffe remained at the scene of the crashed car to admit his role in the crime.

Judge Helen Boyle set the sentence at two years but suspended it in its entirety at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The driver of the car was jailed earlier this year for his part in the crime.

Donal Cronin, defence barrister, said the accused was under a certain amount of pressure to involve himself in the transporting of drugs in order to clear a drugs debt.

Garda Cormac Axson testified that the incident occurred at Castletownroche village and the car involved in the incident crashed and was found on its roof some distance away soon afterwards.

The package of drugs being carried in the car was thrown out the window by 26-year-old Corey McAuliffe of Wood Road, Mallow, before the vehicle crashed and overturned.

Mr Cronin, barrister, stressed that Mr McAuliffe did not flee from the crashed car and was arrested at the scene. 

He admitted his part in the drugs crime and said he had an addiction at the time. 

Mr Cronin said the accused had been pressurised by others to become involved in the offence.

Garda Axson said Garda Brian McCabe and his colleague were on checkpoint duty on February 17, 2022. 

Garda McCabe stood out and indicated for the Volkswagen to stop but it was driven at him and it was fortunate that the guard’s injuries were not more serious.

Mr Cronin BL said of McAuliffe, “How he came to find himself enmeshed in this terrible situation, he was prevailed upon to clear a significant drug debt at the time. As soon as matters developed he terminated his involvement, stayed at the scene and cooperated.

“He has taken material steps to change his life. He has been addiction free since June 2022. He has disassociated from that peer group he was in at the time.”