Cork court: Teenage dealer gave gardaí ‘middle finger’

A 16-year-old threw a bag of cannabis out the window of a car in Midleton when gardaí approached, later passing the scene where the officers were searching for the stash, and giving them the middle finger.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, the teenager has been given a two-year sentence of detention with half of it suspended.

Garda Cormac Axson outlined the background to the drug-dealing incident which was detected on March 1, 2024. At 4.30pm, at Mill Rd, Midleton, Co Cork, a particular car was spotted by gardaí and a young man in the front seat known to be involved in sale or supply of drugs was seen.

“He threw plastic bags out the window. The car was driven away. It was stopped soon after when signalled to stop. Nothing was found in the car,” the garda said.

“Gardaí returned to the green area to conduct a search. The car [which had been searched] was driven by, and the youth who threw the drugs out the window gave the middle finger.”

This teenager’s home was then searched under warrant. Between what was found at the scene in Midleton and later at his home, cannabis with a street value of €7,600 and cocaine worth €320 were recovered.

Garda Axson said of the accused: “He has come to attention a number of times since, and has convictions from before this date.”

Defence barrister Jeff Hitchmough said: “He was 16 at the time of the offences. He has a letter of apology before the court.

“He seems quite contrite and wants to put his best foot forward into the future.

“There was a lack of structure in his younger life. Now in Oberstown [detention centre], people dealing with him find him to be a pleasant, kind, and caring person.

“He wants to apologise to everyone he may have wronged.”

Judge Dermot Sheehan said: “He accepted full responsibility and maintained the guilty plea before the court. These are serious offences involving two very common drugs now in the East Cork area.”

He was sentenced on charges including dealing of cannabis and cocaine. The accused cannot be named because he is a juvenile.