Cork man found drunk on e-scooter led to discovery of drugs and cash at his home

Being drunk on an e-scooter resulted in a 43-year-old man being searched and found to have drug deals in his pockets and more drugs and cash back at his house.

Adrian Skrzyszowski of Cuain Carin, Station Road, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to having cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply and having money being the proceeds of this criminal activity.

Detective Garda Dylan Murphy was the officer who spotted the suspicious activity of the accused and ultimately found vacuum packs of cannabis worth €554 and cocaine worth €1,247 wrapped in tinfoil. A substantial amount of cash was found in an envelope at the house. And also at the house, a pack of cannabis worth €536 was found in a barbecue at the rear of property.

Mahon Corkery, defending, said, “He seems to have copped on since the time of the incident. I think he has changed his ways.

“This man was not in full addiction. He was using drugs. He is 43. He comes from Poland and he has been working hard since he left school at 18. He has worked in coalmining, building and scaffolding.

“This has been a stressful awakening for him. Since this occurred, he has kept his head down and he is working. I am asking you not to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge Sinéad Behan said, “There are certain matters that are very positive. He has not come to garda attention.

“What I am not impressed with is his tissue of lies throughout his interview with the gardaí. (What he said) was unhelpful and worrying. There seems to have been a number of mistruths.” 

Mr Corkery said in that regard, “I say it speaks to a person who is naïve and out of his depth at that point.” 

Judge Behan said, “The guard through his vigilance observed him on an e-scooter and appearing to be intoxicated – a vigilant garda finding a criminal in the midst of a housing estate. And that is what a drug-dealer is, a criminal.

“He had cannabis on him with some deals of cocaine. He was arrested and brought to the garda station. His house was searched and drugs were found in locations hidden within the house. €5,140 in cash was found.

“An interview was conducted and he was not very helpful. A number of explanations utterly lacked credibility. This is a case in which I would be mindful to impose a custodial sentence.

“Given that he is in employment, putting him in custody might be a backward step.” 

On charges of having drugs for sale or supply and money-laundering, Judge Behan imposed a total suspended sentence of three years.