Deportee was drug dealing in Dublin park, court told

Tom Tuite

An Algerian national previously deported from the UK was arrested for drug dealing in a north Dublin park after being refused permission to remain in the State, a court has heard.

Ahmed Chenghoum, 34, who has claimed to have two addresses in Dublin, a room share in Phibsborough and in a guest house in Belvedere Place, was remanded in custody with consent to €200 bail.

He appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court on Monday, charged with possessing four deals of cannabis worth about €150, and having them for sale or supply at Fairview Park, on August 24th.

He also has an additional charge for obstructing an arrest and replied, "I did not strike or attack gardaí, I only tried to run away".

Garda Sean White said the accused had been "acting suspiciously" and attempted to flee.

He did not accept that the cannabis was for the defendant's personal use, adding that there were four deals wrapped in cling-film and the accused had €300 in cash on him. He believed Mr Chenghoum had been in the park to sell the drugs.

Enquiries revealed he had been deported from the UK and came to Ireland a year ago via Belfast.

Garda White said the accused had no status here and had been refused permission to remain in the State, and he had been notified two weeks ago to present himself to a Garda station.

He added that Mr Chenghoum had used up a lot of Garda time and "continuously tried to mislead us and provide us with false details."

Garda White feared the accused would fail to appear in court if released on bail.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Murrough O'Rourke, the garda agreed the defendant had no prior convictions or history of failing to appear in court.

The accused spoke briefly, confirming his nationality and saying he did not have a passport, but would remain in the country until the case had been dealt with.

Judge Cronin ordered him to sign on daily at a city centre Garda station on his release. He has yet to enter a plea and will appear again next week.

He was granted legal aid and will appear again next week.