Man who stepped off train in Cork with shopping bag containing almost €60k of heroin is jailed 

A 55-year-old Dubliner who stepped off a train in Cork with a Tesco ‘bag for life’ containing almost €60,000 worth of heroin was to have been paid about €200 for carrying the stash and he planned to spend this on “benzos” on the street in Cork.

It was the Dubliner’s first-ever visit to Cork and the sentencing judge remarked: “He didn’t get very far.”

David Farrell was arrested at Kent Railway Station in Cork in May 2022 and has now been jailed for two years. Judge Jonathan Dunphy imposed a sentence of four years, with the last two years suspended.

Farrell of Mark’s Alley, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, having the drug for sale or supply, and having the drug for sale or supply at a time when the street value exceeded €13,000 — a threshold that allows for a minimum sentence of 10 years on conviction unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Farrell’s charges all refer to Kent station at Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, on May 27, 2022.

Detective Garda Martina Drew testified that operation was in place at the railway station that day and that the accused and another man were seen stepping off the train. The accused was carrying the shopping bag. As soon as the drugs were seized from him during a search he made admissions.

Defence senior counsel Ray Boland said the accused was paid a small amount of money to accompany the other man to Cork.

“And he was given the unenviable job of carrying the bags,” Mr Boland said.

Farrell has been on methadone for 24 years and he had hoped that he would obtain benzodiazepine-type street drugs in Cork for the purpose of self-medicating.

However, he did not get that far, effectively being arrested on arrival.

“It would appear from very fair evidence that Mr Farrell is a vulnerable man,” Mr Boland said.