A Cork man who pleaded guilty to the possession of cocaine for sale or supply was selling the drugs on behalf of a well-known Bandon family, according to his solicitor.

Court presenter Sergeant Eimear O’Connell told Bandon District Court that a garda patrol was in the Castle Road area of Bandon, Co Cork, just after midnight on February 13, 2023. They observed an individual, identified as Adrian Dineen, aged 35 of Sunnyside, Kilbarry, Dunmanway, Co Cork, behaving in a suspicious manner. 

When Dineen was question he became nervous and he was searched. On his person gardaí found a white substance in his wallet later identified as cocaine and deal bags of cocaine in his jacket pockets. 

The total value of cocaine recovered was €500. Dineen was also in possession of a mobile phone that showed evidence of drug dealing activity. 

When questioned Dineen admitted possession of cocaine for sale or supply. The court heard that Dineen had 29 previous convictions, including three for the possession of illegal drugs but none for sale or supply.

Defence solicitor Éamonn Fleming said that his client had “completely cleaned up his act” since his arrest. He said that Dineen was now working full-time in a factory near Bandon and cycled the 12km to work every day “come rain or shine”. 

He added that Dineen was an “active father” to his two young children who were in the care of their maternal grandparents who he had a good relationship with and also paid maintenance.

The court heard that Dinnen was drug-free for a year and a half and had attended counselling and underwent drug testing for work. Mr Fleming said that at the time of the offending Dineen was “acting at the behest” of a family from Bandon who were well-known to the court and involved in drug-dealing.

Judge Joanne Carroll said that if Mr Fleming’s appraisal of Dineen’s progress was correct he could expect “a positive outcome”.

She ordered a probation report and directed Dineen to take one random drug test at the direction of the Probation Service. She remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on November 7 for finalisation.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme