Facebook message aids gardai in prosecuting Limerick drug dealer
GARDAI discovered a message on Facebook Messenger during an investigation asking a person “to bag up three grammes”, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
Gearoid Ryan, aged 29, with an address at Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Limerick, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply.
Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Sergeant Richie Finan.
Mr O’Sullivan said gardai executed a search under warrant at a property in Kilteragh on July 16, 2020. He said Mr Ryan wasn’t there but an unnamed person was.
Gardai discovered quantities of white powder in a headphones box and in a backpack in a downstairs bedroom. A bag containing clear plastic capsules and a vacuum packing machine were also found.
Sgt Finan said the capsules were for storing and passing on cocaine and the vacuum packing machine was for sealing bags and to reduce the smell.
Mr O’Sullivan said in the kitchen there was a weighing scales and “further paraphernalia” located.
“There were tubs of creatine found and this is commonly used as a mixing agent,” said Mr O’Sullivan. Sgt Finan agreed, saying it can be.
In total, there was €3,350 worth of cocaine and €996 of ecstasy discovered.
Mr O’Sullivan said on the following day Mr Ryan presented him voluntarily to gardai but nothing of an evidential nature was gleaned during interviews.
“He said he suffers from a visual impairment. He has no previous convictions,” Mr O’Sullivan.
The barrister said gardai discovered a message on Facebook Messenger asking a person to “bag up three grammes” and directing them to where the weighing scales were in the kitchen.
Sgt Finan confirmed this was consistent with drug dealing.
Rebecca Tracey, barrister for Mr Ryan, said her client made an early plea of guilty, and voluntarily presented himself to gardai.
The court heard a district court judge had refused jurisdiction.
She put it to Sgt Finan that Mr Ryan was not a major player and he agreed.
Ms Treacy said Mr Ryan is extremely ashamed.
“At the time he was wracked with addiction issues. He was living a chaotic lifestyle - drinking heavily and taking drugs. He was not making a monetary gain - he was getting and holding drugs and paying off his debt. He was feeding his habit,” said Ms Treacy.
The defence barrister said it was a huge wake up call for her client.
“It was a positive thing for him as he has dealt with his addiction issues. He contacted Saoirse and is attending drug addiction counselling. He got caught up in this due to his drug addiction. It was a means to fund his own chaotic lifestyle,” said Ms Treacy.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said he has said time and time again that if you get involved in the sale or supply of drugs you will pay the consequences.
“While he presented himself to gardai effectively nothing was gleaned. What concerns me is not the value, it is that he was an active participant in the sale or supply of drugs. Zip bags, capsules and a vacuum packing machine were found,” said Judge O’Donnell.
In mitigation, the judge said Mr Ryan has no previous convictions and hasn’t come to garda attention since July 2020.
Judge O’Donnell imposed 20 month jail sentences, suspended for two years on both counts.