A 16-YEAR-OLD described as a drugs wholesaler had £2,360 worth of cannabis resin when he was arrested by gardai last May.
The youth, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of possessing cannabis. He was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Patrick Moran. The sentence is to run consecutively to another of two years imposed last November.
The youth's trial had been abandoned in January after jury members refused to continue because they believed they were being intimidated by people in the court.
Garda Larry O'Brien said the teenager was seen by gardai at a playing pitch which was regarded as the main distribution centre for drugs on the north side of Cork city.
They saw numerous transactions going on and people who purchased drugs were stopped as they left the area. Their ages ranged from 13 to 38 years.
The accused, who had convictions dating back to when he was 12, was spotted carrying a slab of, cannabis. He threw this over a wall when chased by gardai. It had a street value of £2,360.
He was regarded as a key individual in the sale of drugs in the north side, said Garda O'Brien, and was involved with other people in that operation.
Judge Moran said the youth had decided at an early age to set out on a life of crime and the citizens of Cork must be protected from him.