Cork man spat at gardaí on Mary Elmes Bridge and told them he had tested positive for Hepatitis C

A Cork man spat at gardaí on Mary Elmes Bridge as he told them he had just tested positive for Hepatitis C.

Sergeant Pat Lyons described this incident as the culprit, Dean Seery, was sentenced for this and a series of other offences.

Judge Mary Dorgan sentenced him to a total of five months in prison.

His solicitor, Diane Hallahan, said that while Mr Seery made this comment to gardaí on the day it was not in fact true. And Ms Hallahan said gardaí accepted subsequently that it was not true.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the accused was found to be intoxicated and a danger before ten o’clock on the morning of June 5.

“When informed he was being arrested Mr Seery stated he had tested positive for Hepatitis C and spat in the direction of gardaí. He was conveyed to the Bridewell garda station,” Sgt. Lyons said.

Judge Dorgan asked if the gardaí had to be tested after this incident. Sgt. Lyons said they did not as the spitting was in their direction but did not make contact.

As well as pleading guilty to this incident on Mary Elmes Bridge, Dean Seery of Cork Simon Community, Anderson’s Quay, also admitted other offences around this time. 

Ms Hallahan said they were committed when he was in the throes of serious addiction.

In terms of shoplifting crimes he stole €177 worth of clothing from Elvery’s on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, on February 27, €23 worth of vodka from Aldi at The Elysian, on the same date, €21 worth of wine at Tesco, Paul Street, the following day, a €20 bottle of vodka at Dunnes Stores on St. Patrick’s Street on March 8, and finally a €115 tracksuit at Lifestyle Sports on St. Patrick’s Street.

He was caught with heroin for his own use at the Q carpark on Sharman Crawford Street, Cork, on June 26 2022.

The same defendant was recently sentenced to 18 months at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for drug dealing.

Dean Seery pleaded guilty to a charge that on August 6 2022 at St. Patrick’s Quay, Cork, he had €9,000 worth of Diamorphine (heroin) for the purpose of sale or supply. In this case the value of the heroin seized on St. Patrick’s Quay was €9,000.

Sentencing also covered an incident on August 7 2022 when he had €3,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply.

Concluding the imposition of the total sentence of five months at the district court Judge Dorgan said to the defendant, who appeared by video link from prison, “I hope while you are in prison you can get some help and put the offending behaviour behind you.”