'Family man' was dealing drugs to support his children, court told
A 'family man' who turned to drug dealing to support his children while unemployed made a 'very poor choice', his defence solicitor has said.
Thomas Verbickas (29) was trying to hide cocaine and cannabis when gardaí twice caught him on the streets in a 'small-scale operation'.
Judge Susan Fay adjourned the case for a community service assessment, recommending 200 hours instead of an 18-month sentence.
Verbickas, of Belcamp Lane, Coolock, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply.
Dublin District Court heard he was caught hiding €720 of cocaine in a bush after gardaí saw him acting suspiciously at Hampton Wood Lawn, Finglas, on March 13, 2024.
The following April 3, he was seen discarding a package at Hampton Wood Square and it contained €100 of cannabis and €500 of cocaine.
'He's a family man who was trying to support his children and made a very poor choice to engage in this conduct as a way of raising money,' defence solicitor Andrew Broderick said. It was 'to keep himself and his family going'.
The accused had since 'mended his ways, was very remorseful and actively looking for work in construction'.
Verbickas was eager to do community service if required.
Stock image
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 20th
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish MMA fighter sent for trial on Garda corruption and 'confidential' info rap
MMA fighter Charlie Ward has been returned for trial accused of corruption offences involving "confidential" Garda information and helping to pervert the course of justice. The mixed martial artist, 44, of Acragar, Mountmellick and co-accused Noel Carroll, 57, of Ballyfinn Road, Portlaoise, both Co Laois, appeared at Dublin District Court today when the gardaí served them with books of evidence. It follows a probe by the anti-corruption unit, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had also directed trial on indictment. Judge Gerard Jones granted an order, sending them forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has wider sentencing powers and where the case will be listed for mention on October 16. The defendants, who have yet to enter a plea, did not address the court and were warned by the judge to notify the prosecution within 14 days if they intend to use an alibi. Gardaí must also furnish the defence with copies of interview videos. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Legal aid was granted. Earlier, Detective Sergeant Paul Dowling and Kieran Kilcoyne said the two men "made no reply" when charged. The pair face charges contrary to section 5 of the 2018 Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act about requests for information concerning three men. According to the court documents, on March 2, 2022, at an unknown location in the state, both men corruptly requested a gift, consideration or advantage on account of a named garda requesting that confidential information relating to another person be obtained and disclosed. Mr Ward is accused of the same type of offence on February 28, 2022, about Garda information on a second male. Another charge states that on the previous day, Mr Ward corruptly offered the same officer an inducement for doing an act in relation to his employment as a member of An Garda Síochána. Mr Ward is also accused of an offence under section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997. That alleges that between October 15 -17, 2019, when another person committed an arrestable offence, namely, perverting the course of justice, that he "did aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of this offence". It is alleged that on January 26, 2022, at an unknown location, Mr Carroll corruptly requested a gift consideration or advantage on account of the garda seeking confidential information about a search operation at the home of a third named man. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí forced to retreat in tussle with man who took to garage with young child
Audrius Bliutas, of Monaghan Town, came before a sitting of Monaghan District Court Gardaí were forced to run for cover when a father of one violently resisted arrest and became involved in an intense struggle with officers during the course of a routine welfare check, a court has been told. Thirty-three-year-old Audrius Bliutas, of Belgium Park, Monaghan Town came before a sitting of Monaghan District Court following an incident on November 16 last year at Derrynagrew, Monaghan. Sgt Lisa McEntee told of how gardaí were initially called to the scene on foot of claims by Bliutas' partner the accused had taken to a garage with their child following an all day drinking binge. Audrius Bliutas forced gardaí to retreat for their own safety following a violent encounter on the outskirts of Monaghan town, a court has heard. When officers knocked on the garage door in a bid to cajole Bliutas outside, Sgt McEntee revealed how the accused suddenly became 'highly aggressive', first by pushing gardaí before becoming embroiled in a violent physical altercation moments later. During that scuffle, the court was told Bliutas proceeded to pick up and throw an unidentified object towards gardaí in an episode that resulted in glass being smashed inside the property. Sgt McEntee said such was the volatile nature of the incident, gardaí were forced to retreat for their own safety until further assistance arrived. In the midst of that stand-off, Judge Raymond Finnegan was told how Bliutas attempted to flee the scene on foot moments later in a move which ultimately coincided in his arrest following a foot chase with gardaí. Audrius Bliutas outside Monaghan Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - July 24th The upshot of those actions saw gardaí charge Bliutas with two counts of assault, together with a subsequent shoplifting offence at Circle K, Monaghan on March 6 this year as well as two further public order incidents on January 19 at Roosky Monaghan and at the town's Market Street area on April 20. The former, Sgt McEntee revealed, took place at 3pm in the afternoon and which subsequently resulted in two further offensive weapons charges being handed down after Bliutas was searched and found to be carrying a penknife and a 'shiv' or 'sharply pointed blade'. When the court was told Bliutas had a previously unblemished record to his name, defence solicitor Roísín Courtney applied for a probation report to be carried out on her client. That suggestion was one which initially appeared to cut little ice with Judge Finnegan who addressed Ms Courtney directly by asking: 'What will a probation report tell me that you can't?' In entering guilty pleas on behalf of the accused, Ms Courtney said her rationale was largely based on her belief Bliutas was a man who could benefit from the court's assistance. Judge Raymond Finnegan remanded Audrius Bliutas on bail to a court sitting in November for the purposes of a probation and community service report. She said despite her client's strong work ethic, he was someone who was currently attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in a bid to address a drink dependency. Having handed in €40 to cover the cost of the items Bliutas stole from Circle K, Judge Finnegan applied section 1 (1) of the Probation Act owing to the Monaghan man's previous good character. Bliutas was, however, ordered to undergo a probation and community service report for the remaining charges before the court and was remanded on bail to a sitting of Monaghan District Court on November 3.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Nephew of murdered Provo accused of ‘hitting mum with hairdryer'
Ciaran Ledgewood, whose uncle Tommy Donaghy was shot dead in 1991, is also accused of using a knife to attack his brother This is the nephew of an ex-Provo murdered by loyalists 34 years ago who's accused of using a garden ornament and a hairdryer to assault his mother. Ciaran Ledgewood, whose uncle Tommy Donaghy was shot dead in 1991, is also accused of using a knife to attack his brother – although the court heard he told cops he was defending himself after his brother hit him with a shovel. The 43-year-old was refused bail after he was charged at Derry Magistrates Court with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of a knife, and assault causing actual bodily harm against his mother and brother. Thomas Donaghy Ledgewood, of Meadow Lands in Antrim, was charged with the offences that were said to have occurred on June 29. Police were called by Ledgewood's mother, who told them that he had been in her face until she slapped him, after which he was said to have hit her with a hairdryer. Following this, the court heard that he was locked outside and tried to kick through the gate of the house. He was then said to have thrown a garden statue that hit his mother on the head. Ledgewood's brother was then said to have tried to hold him back with a shovel before Ledgewood allegedly lifted a knife and wounding him. When questioned, he admitted to throwing the statue but claimed that he did not mean to hit his mother with it. He also denied the charges against his brother, claiming that it was self-defence. His mother has refused to give a statement and his brother is said to be unsure if he will provide one. Defence solicitor Brendan Kearney said that tensions had been high within the family after Ledgewood's father had taken ill. He added that Ledgewood has answered every question asked by police and had no convictions in ten years. Ciaran Ledgewood District Judge Conor Heaney described the charges as 'very serious' and denied bail. However, on July 10 Ledgewood was granted bail at the High Court and is listed to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on August 13. Ledgewood is the nephew of Tommy Donaghy who at the time of his murder was a Sinn Féin community worker in the Kilrea area of County Derry. His mother Mary Ledgewood Donaghy is the sister of Tommy Donaghy. Four years ago we reported how a shotgun found in the River Bann in 2021 was linked to his murder. The republican, who had been part of the blanket protest while jailed in the Maze for IRA offences, was shot several times in the head as he arrived for work at Portna Fisheries on Lough Neagh. Ciaran Ledgewood News in 90 Seconds - July 24th
