Homeless man with €18k drug debt caught dealing heroin in Cork city

A 44-year-old homeless man with an €18,000 drugs debt was caught dealing heroin in Cork city in an effort to clear some of the money he owned.

But now Michael Veale has been sentenced by Judge James McCourt to two and a half years imprisonment with the last six months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Katherine McGillicuddy barrister prosecuted the case against Mr Veale, who is originally from Dungarvan, County Waterford, but living with Cork Simon Community for a number of years.

Detective Garda Jerome Murphy said there was a surveillance operation set up by An Garda Síochána on April 28 this year.

Mr Veale was observed in apparent drug transactions at Patrick Street that afternoon and when gardaí approached him he produced a bag from his trousers. It contained Diamorphine (heroin) with a street value of €1,460.

Det Garda Murphy said, “When interviewed he admitted having an €18,000 drug debt and was pressurised into selling heroin to clear his debt. He said he had been selling heroin for a few weeks when he was caught.

“His mobile phone was examined and it showed he was involved in the sale of heroin in Cork city.

“He was living in the Simon community and had been released from custody in February 2023.” 

With a lot of previous drug convictions he had only just finished serving a period of five years for dealing more than €13,000 worth of drugs.

This was one of six previous drug-dealing convictions against him.

Defence barrister, Paula McCarthy, said Mr Veale cooperated during the search and he was being forced to sell drugs. Det Garda Murphy agreed.

Ms McCarthy said the accused was engaging well with support services in prison and was someone who had a very difficult life. “He is a particularly vulnerable person,” she said.