‘Chronic cocaine user’ pleads guilty to cannabis possession in Longford Circuit Court

A plaster who was “caught with a nice bag of stuff” will be assessed by the Probation Service before Judge Keenan Johnson hands down his sentence. Mark King's “entrenched cocaine habit” put him in a “desperate situation” where he felt he had to act as a drug courier.

Mr King (42), of 65 Annaly Park, Longford pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply at Annaly Park on November 27, 2020.

Longford Circuit Court was told the value of the drugs was €7,312. Garda Ryan Canning outlined details of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Mr King. On the date of the offence Garda Canning and Garda Damien McGovern were on patrol when they observed a VW Jetta parked outside a house on Richmond Street described as being “heavily involved in the sale or supply of drugs” in the area.

Some time later they saw the same car coming towards Longford town from the Lanesboro direction. Garda Canning said the vehicle was driving in an erratic manner and the patrol car activated the blue lights and sirens.

When the car pulled into Annaly Park the driver got out and ran. Garda Cannning got out of the patrol car and followed on foot. As the officer gave chase, Mr King dropped a bag. When the defendant was apprehended the Garda retrieved the bag containing “a large quantity” of cannabis herb.

In interview the defendant said to Gardaí: “You caught me with a nice bag of stuff.” Mr King said he was told if he picked up the drugs and dropped them at a certain location he would be paid €200. The defendant said he received a text with the details of the drop. Mr King maintained he was stuck for money at the time and agreed to the deal “out of desperation”.

Counsel for the defendant, John Shortt SC, put it to Garda Canning that his client engaged with Gardai and was not involved in the supply of drugs, only acting as a courier. The Garda witness agreed.

Mr Shortt said the father of three children is a plasterer, but was unemployed at the time. Though he has nine previous convictions all are for road traffic offences. Mr Shortt pointed out that his client has not come to Garda attention since.

Counsel admitted Mr King was a “chronic cocaine user” at the time, adding: “This has been a wake up call for him.”

Addressing the court Mr King said he addressed his drug use and has made changes in his life: “It has been hard, my family have suffered a lot. I have to thank my partner for staying with me. Cocaine is a dangerous drug.”

The defendant said he went “cold turkey” on the drug. When Mr Shortt asked his client if it was his intention to “stay clean” Mr King replied: “If I don't I won't have a wife and child to go back to.”

Judge Johnson was not impressed that Mr King hasn't availed of the addiction support service available. The judge described the defendant as being on the “lower end of the criminal ladder,” saying he was “desperately in need of money at a time he was not working”.

Judge Johnson said Mr King's “entrenched cocaine habit” meant he needs to engage with support services, but said he could deal with the matter by way of a non-custodial sentence. The judge said he will consider reducing a four year custodial sentence to three years and suspend it for five years on the provision Mr King deals with his addiction, engages with support services and submits to urine analysis. Judge Johnson then adjourned the matter to January 10 to allow for the preparation of a probation report.