A DELIVERY driver told Gardaí he was relieved when they raided his home and found drugs that he said he was storing for criminals to get money to help pay his mortgage and household bills.
Kevin O’Connell (51), originally from Caherconlish but with an address at St Patrick’s Villas, Castleconnell, was arrested after more than €30,000 worth of cannabis was found at his home on February 21, 2025.
The married father-of-two pleaded guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply and one count of simple possession of cannabis.
Prosecuting counsel John O’Sullivan told the court that Mr O’Connell also pled guilty to possession of drugs worth more than €13,000, an offence contrary to Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which carries a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence unless a court accepts the circumstances involved merit a lesser one.
Mr O’Connell’s barrister, senior counsel Mark Nicholas, told the court that O’Connell should not be jailed as he was the bread-winner in his family; that he was under financial pressure at the time; that his wife has health issues.
Mr Nicholas, instructed by Turlough Herbert Solicitors added, that O’Connell pled guilty to all charges; he had no previous convictions; and he had a history of employment.
Mr O’Sullivan, prosecuting, instructed by Limerick City State Solicitor, Padraig Mawe, said members of the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit at Henry Street Garda Station received a tip off that Mr O’Connell was in possession of drugs at his home.
He said Gardaí obtained a warrant from Limerick District Court to search Mr O’Connell’s home where they found cannabis, wrapped in 23 packets hidden in a box in the attic of the property, with a street value of €35,042.
Garda Kieran Lynch said Mr O’Connell showed Gardaí where the drugs were and told them: “I’m only storing it.”
Mr O’Sullivan said O’Connell told Gardaí he “fell on hard times” after losing a full-time job as a courier with Supervalu during the Covid-19 pandemic.
O’Connell later found part-time work as a courier with Fastway and was engaging in a FAS work scheme, however he was still struggling to pay his mortgage and household bills.
“He was approached by a person who asked if he would mind drugs. He said he thought it was a good idea at the time,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
Mr O’Connell told Gardaí he agreed to store drugs on two occasions for which he said he was paid €100 each time.
The defendant said he had refused to hold the drugs on a third occasion but that he eventually agreed after claiming he came under pressure from people whom he did not identify.
Mr O’Connell told Gardaí he was “gobsmacked” when they told him the value of the drugs found in his attic.
He said he had never taken an illicit drug, nor sold drugs, and his family had not been aware he had been storing the drugs in the family home.
Mr O’Connell told Gardaí: “Ye probably saw the relief in my face when ye arrived.”
Mr O’Sullivan said that Gardaí “expressed scepticism” at Mr O’Connell’s claim he was paid €100 each time to store the drugs.
Garda Lynch agreed with Mr O’Connell’s barrister that it was “not unusual” for people to find themselves in similar circumstances for “fear of reprisals” and while they were under financial pressure.
Mr Nicholas suggested cannabis “isn’t a Class A drug and said Mr O’Connell tried to stop holding the drugs for persons, who remained unidentified.
Asking the court not to impose a jail sentence, Mr Nicholas said: “It is obviously a Section 15 (a) drugs case, but it’s human, it’s understandable, he is the family bread-winner, his wife has health issues, he is involved in the community in a good way, I hope the court imposes a non-custodial sentence.”
Judge Colin Daly said he would consider all of the evidence and remanded O’Connell on continuing bail to appear before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for sentence in March.