Drugs hurled over wall of Cork Prison in ‘inept’ act

A 31-YEAR-OLD man came before a court for sentencing on a drug charge after stashes of tablets and a small amount of cannabis were hurled over the wall of Cork Prison at Rathmore Rd in what was described as an inept and easily-detectable crime.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the crime committed by Dean Cremin of Inchera Close, Mahon, Cork.

“On May 2, 2021, Garda Niamh Crowley attended a call where prison personnel observed a man throw a number of objects over the prison wall from Rathmore Rd,” he said.

“These items were retrieved by a prison officer.

“She handed over an evidence bag, sealed, with 67 unknown tablets and a small quantity of cannabis.

“The person who threw the objects was identified as Dean Cremin. He made admissions when questioned by gardaí.

“The tablets were identified as Delorazepam.”

Cremin had 116 previous convictions, including four for having possession of drugs and one for having them for sale or supply.

He also pleaded guilty to shoplifting at JJ O’Driscoll’s in Ballinlough on July 31, 2023.

On June 18, 2023, there was an incident where he was threatening towards another man — an issue resolved soon afterwards between the parties, defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said.

“There was no reason for the argument to occur,” he said.

“He was in the throes of heroin addiction. He was not able to control his temper as much as anything else.

“In relation to the drugs [at] the prison, it was an inept effort to do what he did. He was manifestly, easily identified.

“He was interviewed, and he outlined the circumstances where he was somewhat prevailed upon — he put the effort he made in a particular context; I don’t want to go into it.

“He was concerned about something that might happen [if he did not agree to supply the drugs in this manner].”

Judge Dorgan said she would adjourn sentencing of Cremin on the various matters until September 17 for a probation report on the accused.