Drugs sting sees at least one jailed

Eight people have appeared in court in connection with a Garda drug operation in the Bailieborough area. Code-named ‘The Nettle’, it involved members of the local drugs division and members from the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU).
Virginia District Court heard yesterday (Tuesday) that members of the GNDU were deployed in an undercover capacity in sourcing drugs in the Bailieborough area. Local gardaí and the local drug unit had identified a number of suspects in the Bailieborough area and they were the main focus of the operation.
The first defendant to come before the court yesterday was Noel McHugh (22) with an address at 29 Woodview Estate, Bailieborough. He pleaded guilty to having Methylethcathinone - a cocaine derivative - for sale or supply at Woodview Estate on July 28 last year.
In handing down the sentence Judge MacBride advised McHugh he had made the right decision in pleading guilty:“If you had fought this case I would have sentenced you to two years.”
McHugh was also given two concurrent terms of eight months for having the drug for sale or supply on July 21 and 17. The judge also directed in the case that €390 seized under warrant be handed over to the Cavan Drug Awareness Centre. Diane McCabe (29) of 87 Woodview, Bailieborough, was given a six-month suspended sentenced and a fine of €500 for possessing methylcathione (MEC) for sale or supply at Kangley’s Bar, Main Street, Bailieborough on July 7.
Marian Owens (24) of Curkish, Bailieborough, was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and fined €1,000 for having Cannabis for sale or supply at Curkish, Bailieborough on September 14.
Patrick Clarke (37) with an address at 2 Tanderagee, Bailieborough, was given a six-month suspended sentence and fined €1,000 for having methylenedioxymetylamphetamine (MDMA) for sale or supply at Kangley’s Bar, Main Street, Bailieborough on July 14. He was also fined €500 for aiding and abetting Diane McCabe in the sale or supply of MEC at Kangley’s Bar, Main Street, on July 7.
Kieran Farrell (29) of Curkish, Bailieborough and his mother Michelle Farrell (47) had their cases adjourned to May 21. Both are pleading not guilty to the charges against them. Michelle Farrell is charged with permitting her licensed premises to be used for the sale or supply and distribution of drugs. She was also charged with knowingly permitting to take place at Kangley’s Bar the sale and supply and distribution of drugs between July 7 and October 5, 2012. Kieran Farrell was charged on various dates between July 27 and October 5 with having Cannabis and MEC for sale and supply.
Mark Sheridan (27) of Beckscourt Lawns, Bailieborough, is also pleading not guilty to charges against him. He too had his case adjourned to May 21. He is charged with two counts each of possessing Cannabis and possession of the drug with intent to supply on August 3 and August 9. He is further charged with possession of MDNA and possession of the drug with intent to supply on August 9 at Market Square, Bailieborough.
Lastly, Patrick Joyce (24) with an address at Beckscourt View, Bailieborough, had his case adjourned until April 5. He’s charged that on September 19 at Lisnalea, Bailieborough, he had Cannabis for sale or supply. He was also charged with three counts of possessing Cannabis on September 7 at Market Square, Bailieborough; August 29 at Thomas Street, Bailieborough and November 5 at Beckscourt View.