A Dublin man has been jailed after three types of drugs, stretching agents, and counterfeit bank notes were found in his bedroom after Gardaí executed a warrant to search for a stolen bike.
Dylan Sherian (24), of Lissadel Avenue, Drimnagh Dublin 12 , appeared before Judge Orla Crowe at the Circuit Criminal Court this afternoon.
The discoveries were made after a man whose motorbike had been stolen saw it for sale on the internet.
After making inquiries to the seller, he approached Gardaí who then obtained a warrant to search the address listed on the resale website, pursuant to Section 48 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Prosecuting counsel, Emmet M. Nolan BL, told the court that when officers arrived at the home of the accused, they discovered the stolen motorbike in the garden under a canvas cover with false registration plates attached.
A search of the bedroom of the accused revealed what Judge Crowe called a “cornucopia” of unexpected matters, including cocaine, cannabis, and alprazolam tablets with a combined value of €151,046.
Two bulking agents were also discovered alongside 645 counterfeit €50 notes and 11 counterfeit €100 notes, bringing the total value of the counterfeit money to €33,350.
Counting machines were also discovered.
Defending counsel, Pieter Le Vert BL, argued that his client, who was 21 years old at the time, had taken full responsibility in respect of the discoveries, and that he had claimed that there was a threat to his life due to a drug debt, which he claimed was in the region of €20-€25,000.
He has four previous convictions including breaches of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
After he was arrested, a Garda interview had to be suspended as he was in a state of intoxication, the court heard.
Mr. Le Vert argued that his client, who did not sit in the dock because he is hard of hearing, began using cannabis as a teenager before moving on to tablets.
The court also heard that his parents, who were present in court, “have their own demons”, and that his father is making efforts to pay off his son’s debts.
The accused was “a good footballer” but fell away from this due to drug use, Mr. Le Vert said.
Judge Crowe said that, while the accused had made full admissions, he had been “caught red handed”, and that the offending “passed the threshold” to warrant a custodial sentence.
The court noted the letter of apology Sheridan had submitted, but pointed to the “blight” that drugs and drug trafficking have on society.
After setting a headline sentence of six years, Judge Crowe reduced this to four years with the final 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour for a period of two years post release.
Sheridan’s mother began to weep after hearing that her son was to be sent to prison.