Cork man who tossed joint in front of garda jailed

A YOUNG man smoking a joint threw it down a drain when approached by a garda, and then ran across four lanes of busy morning traffic, in a vain attempt to get away, a court has heard.

After a foot-chase, Detective Garda Derry O’Brien caught and arrested Ciarán Callanan.

The culprit has now been jailed for a year as he was found to be carrying heroin for sale or supply.

Callanan, of 21 Monastery Terrace, Monastery Hill, Blarney St, Cork, pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of diamorphine (heroin) for sale or supply on the occasion.

Detective Garda Derry O’Brien testified that he was on duty at Parnell Place at 8.45am on November 1, 2021. He said that he saw the accused smoking what appeared to be a cannabis joint in a car.

“As I approached, he threw the joint of cannabis down a drain and ran across four lanes of traffic,” said Det Gda O’Brien.

“It was busy morning traffic on Parnell Place.

“I chased him on foot.

“I caught him at the entrance to the bus station.

“He had 16 deals of heroin, with a total street value of €3,200 on him.

“He made admissions to having the drugs for sale or supply.”

The detective said this would have been carried out to feed his own habit.

The accused had 17 previous convictions for having drugs for his own use, but none for dealing.

Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said: “He ran away initially but, once he was apprehended, he made full admissions.

“He has a long history of addiction, but he has attended at addiction counselling.”

Judge Colin Daly said the offence was at the lower end of the scale. He acknowledged the plea of guilty, but said the accused was caught red-handed.

Judge Daly imposed a total sentence of two years, with the last year suspended.