Cork man avoids jail over drugs stash found in car

Gardaí investigating a drunken disturbance at Classis Lake ended up discovering a €23,000 stash of cannabis in the car where the men involved were drinking.

Garda Chris Daly testified at Cork Circuit Criminal that on March 12, 2021, gardaí were dispatched to Classis Lake, where it was reported that a group were drinking in a white car and causing a disturbance.

Gardaí approached the car with three men inside it.

Shane Murphy, of 7 Westgrove, Ballincollig, Co Cork, was arrested for drink-driving.

While the matter was being processed, a large stash of cannabis was discovered in the car.

The cannabis had a street value of €23,000.

“Mr Murphy admitted holding the drugs; he took full responsibility for them,” Garda Daly said.

Donal O’Sullivan, defence senior counsel, said the 28-year-old’s plea of guilty was of value to the prosecution — particularly in view of the fact that there were three other parties in the car where the drugs were found.

“He was 24 at the time and he has not been in trouble in the more than four years since,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“He is working — and working hard — to stay out of trouble.”

Judge Helen Boyle noted from the evidence that the drugs were found in two separate bags and that his role was to store it for another person, who was unnamed.

Imposing a suspended three-year sentence, Judge Boyle noted that the man had rehabilitated effectively, continued working, and had not come to the attention of gardaí since the incident.