Cork man caught with heroin near Mercy University Hospital granted bail

The accused man held back tears in the witness box as he said he wanted to build up a life with his child and get clear of drugs.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted him bail and adjourned the case until April 7.

Detective Garda Shane Hayes said a garda investigation into Diamorphine (heroin) dealing in Cork city led to the arrest of the man near the hospital at noon on March 24.

He was charged with possession of €600 worth of Diamorphine and having the drug —  in the form of 12 deals — for sale or supply to others. The detective said the defendant also had €797 in cash, consistent with being paid in various denominations for drugs.

Det Garda Hayes said that prior to his arrest, Sheehan was seen interacting with known drug users at the entrance to the A&E. As he was being taken away in a garda van a bulge at the back of his tracksuit pants was noticed by gardaí and the suspected drugs package was retrieved.

The detective said that, by his own admission, the defendant wanted to get out of Cork and was using crack cocaine and heroin. Det Garda Hayes said the accused was living a chaotic lifestyle.

Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher suggested that it was a relatively small amount of drugs and that it was a suitable case for bail.

He said the accused was being attacked in broad daylight in Cork city.

Gavin Sheehan said: “I just want to go on treatment and try to get my life straight. I want to start afresh. I started seeing a counsellor.” 

He said he was going well but had been attacked a number of times,  most recently a couple of weeks ago in Fitzgerald’s Park as a result of which he was partially blinded.

“I am going around in a daze after the injury to my eye. I found it hard to cope … I apologise 100%. I want to change my life,” he said.

He added that the judge would not regret giving him bail.