A Circuit judge jailed a man for 24 years yesterday for possessing €4.5 million worth of ecstasy and cocaine.
Colum Carroll ( 31), of Saint Joseph's View, Riverstown, Glanmire, Co Cork, was before Judge Patrick Moran charged with a number of counts of possession of drugs.
The first offence occurred at Ballinrea Road, near Carrigaline, on July 3rd, 2002, when he was found in possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply.
On a second occasion he was found in possession of 500,000 ecstasy tablets when he was stopped by drug squad officers while driving a van at Clonbarrow, Mountrath, Co Laois, on January 16th, 2004.
Det Garda Morgan O'Sullivan said the first seizure was made in Carrigaline when the detectives were on duty on the main Cork to Carrigaline road. He said the accused was a front-seat passenger in a car, and when the detectives attempted to stop the vehicle it sped off.
As gardaí gave chase they observed Carroll throw a "black refuse bag" out of the passenger side of the vehicle. When the detectives stopped the car they returned to the area where the bag was dropped and discovered it contained a "bar" of cocaine with a street value of €24,800. Detectives also found a quantity of cannabis. The seizure in total amounted to €47,000.
In the second seizure, Det Sgt Larry O'Brien, acting on information, was in Co Laois on January 16th, 2004. In mid-afternoon the detective stopped a van driven by Carroll near Portlaoise.
On inspection investigators discovered 54 packages containing 5,000 ecstasy tablets each. In a more thorough search later at Mayfield Garda station gardaí found a lorry tyre in the back of the van. When this tyre was cut open the detectives discovered 41 similar packages inside. The total seizure amounted to well over €4 million, which, according to Det Sgt O'Brien, was destined for the Cork market.
The court heard that the accused had a number of previous convictions, which included possession of cocaine.
Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC defending, pleaded for leniency for his client due to the age of his 65-year-old mother and Carroll's plea of guilty.
Judge Moran said the accused showed "an extraordinary act of bravado" when he carried out a second shipment of drugs after his initial arrest. He could imagine with horror the effect the drugs would have on those who used them and their families.
On the first seizure he sentenced Carroll to 10 years in prison, and on the second he sentenced him to 14 years. Both sentences are to run consecutively.