Latest news with #CorkCircuitCriminalCourt
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man who sexually assaulted woman who went to view rental room in his house is jailed
'I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen to me, and the 11 or so minutes in that house alone with him felt like an eternity' A man who sexually assaulted a young woman who went to view his house after he advertised that he had a room to rent has been jailed for two years. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that 36-year-old Leon O'Connor was suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness when he carried out the offending behaviour on December 29, 2021. Det Sgt Michelle O'Leary said that the injured party had responded to an advertisement for a room rental in a house. Mr O'Connor said that he was looking for a female tenant 'as they were easier to get on with' whilst he also indicated that he did not want a smoker or drinker. Dt Sgt O'Leary said that whilst setting up the viewing over the phone Mr O'Connor asked the woman if she was in a relationship. She thought that this was an 'unusual question.' She said that the woman was driven to the property by her brother. Mr O'Connor told the woman that he only wanted her to enter the property. He cited health concerns in relation to the pandemic for not allowing her brother in. Her brother waited in the car. The defendant invited her in to see the room for rent. She noticed a number of knives on the book case. Mr O'Connor closed the curtains and told her he was doing so to 'prevent a draft.' Dt Sgt O'Leary said the young woman 'felt uneasy.' Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 23rd 'He touched her on a number of occasions going around the house. He touched her buttocks. She was afraid he had a weapon. He brushed his hand against her left breast. As they moved through the house she tried to remain calm. While showing her the room, he stood beside her. He caressed her vagina area. She was extremely frightened. She said she would need to speak to her brother before she decided (to rent the room). She went out and got in to the car and was shaking uncontrollably.' The young woman reported the matter to gardai. Dt Sgt O'Leary said that the injured party was frightened Mr O'Connor would 'lure other females to his house.' In a victim impact statement the young woman said that she lost her spark following the incident. 'I've been a shell of myself. As a result of what happened to me I lost my confidence, my mental health deteriorated massively, and subsequently my relationships failed, as I felt like I lost control of it. 'All this happened at my worst time. I was homeless, out of work, when people are supposed to be looking forward to a new year and new beginnings. 'What happened to me wasn't fair, and I didn't deserve to be put in that position. No one does. I didn't ask for it, and I didn't want it, but it did happen to me. I felt so scared that night. 'I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen to me, and the 11 or so minutes in that house alone with him felt like an eternity.' Judge Helen Boyle said that having read psychiatric reports it was accepted that there was 'ample evidence of a severe psychiatric illness'in the case. A jury previously found Mr O'Connor guilty of sexually assaulting the woman three times during the eleven minute visit. Judge Boyle said that there was no doubt that the woman was 'terrified' as she was being shown around the house. She described the young lady as a 'brave' person who was doing her best to get out of a bad situation in her own life when the offence occurred. 'I want to convey my admiration for her and wish her the best. I want to thank her.' Judge Boyle noted that Mr O'Connor, who has an address in Uam Var Drive, Bishopstown in Cork was a well educated man who had worked to a high level. She said that he had 'gone undiagnosed with psychiatric illness for a long time.' Judge Boyle said that the supportive family of the accused were doing their best to help him. Mr O'Connor was without previous convictions.
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Sunday World
Irish soldier jailed for stashing €27k of cocaine in his army barracks room
In addition to cocaine, gardaí found €1,100 in cash and 'numerous drug paraphernalia' including a blender used for mixing drugs, a weighing scales and bags. A soldier who bagged and mixed thousands of euro of drugs in his room in a Cork army barracks as the building was a 'safe haven' guarded '24 hours a day,' has been jailed for four years. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Shane Scanlon (35) served in the Irish army for 18 years. He reportedly became involved in drug dealing because of 'financial pressures.' He resigned from the Defence Forces after he was caught with close to €27,000 worth of cocaine in a room he rented in Collins Barracks in Cork on March 27, 2024. Det Garda Derry O'Brien said that Mr Scanlon of Cooline Heights, Ballyvoloon, Cobh, Co Cork, was the sole occupant of the room. In addition to cocaine, gardaí found €1,100 in cash and 'numerous drug paraphernalia' including a blender used for mixing drugs, a weighing scales and bags. Gardaí found evidence of drug dealing on a phone owned by Mr Scanlon with the offending behaviour going as far back as 2021. A search was carried out at his home and €2,250 in cash was also recovered. Shane Scanlon admitted having the drugs for sale or supply. News in 90 Seconds - May 23rd Mr Scanlon made full admissions to gardaí upon his arrest. He also cooperated fully with the garda investigation. Dt Garda O'Brien said that Mr Scanlon was using the army barracks as a 'safe haven' for storing drugs as 'opposed to his house address in Cobh.' The father-of-three has two previous convictions for minor driving offences. He has not come to the attention of gardaí since his arrest. The drug dealing was carried out purely for monetary gain and there is no suggestion of drug addiction or a drug debt. Defence barrister, Ray Boland SC, said that his client had resigned from the Army after years of 'otherwise exemplary service.' He asked Judge Dermot Sheehan to impose a fully suspended sentence in the case in light of certain family circumstances of the defendant. He said that his client had suffered from homelessness in the past. Mr Boland indicated that Mr Scanlon was keenly aware of the 'shame' his conduct brought on his unit. 'He is ashamed of that and remorseful. I would ask for his admissions and co operation to be taken in to account. 'The amount (of cocaine) though considerable is at the lower end for Section 15A. This (offending behaviour) was done because he was under financial pressure.' In sentencing, Judge Dermot Sheehan, said that Mr Scanlon had a lack of 'victim awareness' and 'empathy' of the real consequences of drugs on the citizens of Ireland. He said that the accused wasn't just storing drugs in his room in the barracks but was 'actively bagging and mixing the product for distribution onwards.' Judge Sheehan said that Mr Scanlon was taking advantage of the fact that the barracks was 'controlled with armed guards 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.' He said that Mr Scanlon wasn't on the garda radar and only came to garda attention because they were contacted by the authorities in the barracks. Describing what had occurred as an 'extraordinary breach of trust' he jailed Mr Scanlon for five years suspending the last year of the sentence. He cited the signed plea, the lack of relevant previous convictions, and the personal circumstances of the accused as factors in his decision to depart from the mandatory 10-year sentence for a Section 15A offence. Meanwhile, Mr Scanlon previously pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine at Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road in Cork the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, on March 27, 2024. He also admitted having cocaine unlawfully in his possession for his own use on the same occasion. Mr Scanlon also pleaded guilty to money-laundering in respect of €1,100 at Collins Barracks and another sum of €2,250 at his home in Cobh. He also entered a guilty plea to being in possession of articles, namely a blender and weighing scales in circumstances giving rise to a 'reasonable inference' it was for the purpose of commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug-trafficking offence. The charge of having cocaine for sale and supply when it it exceeds €13,000 comes with a mandatory ten year minimum prison sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The Journal
23-05-2025
- The Journal
Soldier jailed for drug dealing at army barracks
A SOLDIER WHO bagged and mixed thousands of euro of drugs in his room in a Cork army barracks as the building was a 'safe haven' which was guarded '24 hours a day and 365 days a year,' has been jailed for four years. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Shane Scanlon (35) served in the Irish army for eighteen years. He reportedly became involved in drug dealing because of 'financial pressures.' He resigned from the Defence Forces after he was caught with close to €27,000 worth of cocaine in a room he rented in Collins Barracks in Cork on March 27th, 2024. Dt Garda Derry O'Brien said that Mr Scanlon of Cooline Heights, Ballyvoloon, Cobh Co Cork was the sole occupant of the room. In addition to cocaine gardaí found €1,100 in cash and 'numerous drug paraphernalia' including a blender used for mixing drugs, a weighing scales and bags. Gardaí found evidence of drug dealing on a phone owned by Mr Scanlon with the offending behaviour going as far back as 2021. A search was carried out at his home and €2,250 in cash was also recovered. Mr Scanlon made full admissions to gardaí upon his arrest. He also co-operated fully with the garda investigation. Dt Garda O'Brien said that Mr Scanlon was using the army barracks as a 'safe haven' for storing drugs as 'opposed to his house address in Cobh.' The father of three has two previous convictions for minor driving offences. He has not come to the attention of gardaí since his arrest. The drug dealing was carried out purely for monetary gain and there is no suggestion of drug addiction or a drug debt. Defence barrister, Ray Boland, SC, said that his client had resigned from the Army after years of 'otherwise exemplary service.' He asked Judge Dermot Sheehan to impose a fully suspended sentence in the case in light of certain family circumstances of the defendant. He said that his client had suffered from homelessness in the past. Advertisement Mr Boland indicated that Mr Scanlon was keenly aware of the 'shame' his conduct brought on his unit. 'He is ashamed of that and remorseful. I would ask for his admissions and co operation to be taken in to account. The amount (of cocaine) though considerable is at the lower end for Section 15A. This (offending behaviour) was done because he was under financial pressure.' In sentencing Judge Dermot Sheehan said that Mr Scanlon had a lack of 'victim awareness' and 'empathy' of the real consequences of drugs on the citizens of Ireland. He said that the accused wasn't just storing drugs in his room in the barracks but was 'actively bagging and mixing the product for distribution onwards.' Judge Sheehan said that Mr Scanlon was taking advantage of the fact that the barracks was 'controlled with armed guards 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.' He said that Mr Scanlon wasn't on the garda radar and only came to garda attention because they were contacted by the authorities in the barracks. Describing what had occurred as an 'extraordinary breach of trust' he jailed Mr Scanlon for five years suspending the last year of the sentence. He cited the signed plea, the lack of relevant previous convictions, and the personal circumstances of the accused as factors in his decision to depart from the mandatory ten year sentence for a Section 15A offence. Meanwhile, Mr Scanlon previously pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine at Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road in Cork the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, on March 27th, 2024. He also admitted having cocaine unlawfully in his possession for his own use on the same occasion. Mr Scanlon also pleaded guilty to money-laundering in respect of €1,100 at Collins Barracks and another sum of €2,250 at his home in Cobh. He also entered a guilty plea to being in possession of articles, namely a blender and weighing scales in circumstances giving rise to a 'reasonable inference' it was for the purpose of commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug-trafficking offence. The charge of having cocaine for sale and supply when it it exceeds €13,000 comes with a mandatory ten year minimum prison sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Soldier jailed for 4 years over barracks cocaine seizure
A soldier who bagged and mixed thousands of euro of drugs in his room in a Cork army barracks as the building was a "safe haven" which was guarded "24 hours a day and 365 days a year," has been jailed for four years. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Shane Scanlon, 35, served in the Defence Forces for 18 years. He reportedly became involved in drug dealing because of "financial pressures". He resigned from the Defence Forces after he was caught with close to €27,000 worth of cocaine in a room he rented in Collins Barracks in Cork on 27 March 2024. Dt Garda Derry O'Brien said that Scanlon of Cooline Heights, Ballyvoloon, Cobh, Co Cork was the sole occupant of the room. In addition to cocaine, gardaí found €1,100 in cash and "numerous drug paraphernalia" including a blender used for mixing drugs, weighing scales and bags. Gardaí found evidence of drug dealing on a phone owned by Scanlon with the offending behaviour going as far back as 2021. A search was carried out at his home and €2,250 in cash was also recovered. Scanlon made full admissions to gardaí upon his arrest. He also cooperated fully with the garda investigation. Dt Gda O'Brien said that Scanlon was using the army barracks as a "safe haven" for storing drugs as "opposed to his house address in Cobh". The father of three has two previous convictions for minor driving offences. He has not come to the attention of gardaí since his arrest. The drug dealing was carried out purely for monetary gain and there is no suggestion of drug addiction or a drug debt. Defence barrister, Ray Boland, SC, said that his client had resigned from the Defence Forces after years of "otherwise exemplary service". He asked Judge Dermot Sheehan to impose a fully suspended sentence in the case in light of certain family circumstances of the defendant. He said that his client had suffered from homelessness in the past. Mr Boland indicated that Scanlon was keenly aware of the "shame" his conduct brought on his unit. "He is ashamed of that and remorseful. I would ask for his admissions and cooperation to be taken in to account. "The amount (of cocaine) though considerable is at the lower end for Section 15A. This (offending behaviour) was done because he was under financial pressure," he said. In sentencing, Judge Dermot Sheehan said that Scanlon had a lack of "victim awareness" and "empathy" for the real consequences of drugs on the citizens of Ireland. He said that the accused was not just storing drugs in his room in the barracks but was "actively bagging and mixing the product for distribution onwards". Judge Sheehan said that Scanlon was taking advantage of the fact that the barracks were "controlled with armed guards 24 hours a day and 365 days a year". He said that Scanlon was not on the garda radar and only came to garda attention because they were contacted by the authorities in the barracks. Describing what had occurred as an "extraordinary breach of trust", he jailed Scanlon for five years, suspending the last year of the sentence. He cited the signed plea, the lack of relevant previous convictions, and the personal circumstances of the accused as factors in his decision to depart from the mandatory ten year sentence for a Section 15A offence. Meanwhile, Scanlon previously pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine at Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road in Cork the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, on 27 March 2024. He also admitted having cocaine unlawfully in his possession for his own use on the same occasion. Scanlon also pleaded guilty to money laundering in respect of €1,100 at Collins Barracks and another sum of €2,250 at his home in Cobh. He also entered a guilty plea to being in possession of articles, namely a blender and weighing scales in circumstances giving rise to a "reasonable inference" that it was for the purpose of commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug-trafficking offence.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Soldier caught with cocaine worth €27,000 in his army barracks room is jailed for four years
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Shane Scanlon (35) served in the Irish army for 18 years. He reportedly became involved in drug dealing because of 'financial pressures.' He resigned from the Defence Forces after he was caught with close to €27,000 worth of cocaine in a room he rented in Collins Barracks in Cork on March 27, 2024. Det Garda Derry O'Brien said that Mr Scanlon of Cooline Heights, Ballyvoloon, Cobh, Co Cork, was the sole occupant of the room. In addition to cocaine, gardaí found €1,100 in cash and 'numerous drug paraphernalia' including a blender used for mixing drugs, a weighing scales and bags. Gardaí found evidence of drug dealing on a phone owned by Mr Scanlon with the offending behaviour going as far back as 2021. A search was carried out at his home and €2,250 in cash was also recovered. Mr Scanlon made full admissions to gardaí upon his arrest. He also cooperated fully with the garda investigation. Dt Garda O'Brien said that Mr Scanlon was using the army barracks as a 'safe haven' for storing drugs as 'opposed to his house address in Cobh.' The father-of-three has two previous convictions for minor driving offences. He has not come to the attention of gardaí since his arrest. The drug dealing was carried out purely for monetary gain and there is no suggestion of drug addiction or a drug debt. Defence barrister, Ray Boland SC, said that his client had resigned from the Army after years of 'otherwise exemplary service.' He asked Judge Dermot Sheehan to impose a fully suspended sentence in the case in light of certain family circumstances of the defendant. He said that his client had suffered from homelessness in the past. Mr Boland indicated that Mr Scanlon was keenly aware of the 'shame' his conduct brought on his unit. 'He is ashamed of that and remorseful. I would ask for his admissions and co operation to be taken in to account. 'The amount (of cocaine) though considerable is at the lower end for Section 15A. This (offending behaviour) was done because he was under financial pressure.' In sentencing, Judge Dermot Sheehan, said that Mr Scanlon had a lack of 'victim awareness' and 'empathy' of the real consequences of drugs on the citizens of Ireland. He said that the accused wasn't just storing drugs in his room in the barracks but was 'actively bagging and mixing the product for distribution onwards.' Judge Sheehan said that Mr Scanlon was taking advantage of the fact that the barracks was 'controlled with armed guards 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.' He said that Mr Scanlon wasn't on the garda radar and only came to garda attention because they were contacted by the authorities in the barracks. Describing what had occurred as an 'extraordinary breach of trust' he jailed Mr Scanlon for five years suspending the last year of the sentence. He cited the signed plea, the lack of relevant previous convictions, and the personal circumstances of the accused as factors in his decision to depart from the mandatory 10-year sentence for a Section 15A offence. Meanwhile, Mr Scanlon previously pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine at Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road in Cork the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, on March 27, 2024. He also admitted having cocaine unlawfully in his possession for his own use on the same occasion. Mr Scanlon also pleaded guilty to money-laundering in respect of €1,100 at Collins Barracks and another sum of €2,250 at his home in Cobh. He also entered a guilty plea to being in possession of articles, namely a blender and weighing scales in circumstances giving rise to a 'reasonable inference' it was for the purpose of commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug-trafficking offence. The charge of having cocaine for sale and supply when it it exceeds €13,000 comes with a mandatory ten year minimum prison sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
