Guilty plea after €60k cannabis seizure at bus station in Cork city

A 43-year-old man has signed a plea of guilty to drugs and money laundering charges arising out of the seizure of €60,000 worth of cannabis at the bus station on Parnell Place in Cork in November 2023.

Barrister Alan O’Dwyer said when the case against Mark Troy, of South Main St, Youghal, was called at Cork District Court, he would be entering a signed plea of guilty to all four charges against him.

He admitted possession of cannabis, possession of the drug for sale or supply to others, and having this drug for sale or supply at a time when its street value exceeded €13,000 — the threshold figure that allows for the imposition of a minimum sentence of 10 years unless there are exceptional circumstances.

He also pleaded guilty to the possession of €2,500 in cash, knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to money-laundering legislation.

All charges relate to the same date and place — November 6, 2023, at Bus Éireann bus station on Parnell Place.

On the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in the sessions commencing on Tuesday.

Bail conditions require him to reside at an address at South Main St in Youghal.

The background circumstances that gave rise to the charges were not outlined in court, but it is anticipated that this will be done at the sentencing hearing in the circuit court.