Found driving from ‘known drug dealer’s house’, court hears

Gardaí caught an aspiring entrepreneur red handed with cannabis moments after he drove away from a “known drug dealer’s house”, a court has heard.

Kevin McCullagh (24), Valley Cottages, Patrick Street, Mullingar, made admissions almost straight away to specialist drugs officers following a search at Newtown Lawns, Mullingar on October 11, 2024.

Sgt Sheila Kenny said officers attached to the Westmeath Divisional Drugs Unit came across the accused leaving the home of a “known drug dealer”.

The court was told when gardaí stopped Mr McCullagh’s vehicle, an almost instantaneous and strong smell of cannabis was detected from inside.

When a search was carried out on the accused, a nominal quantity of cannabis was retrieved. Mr McCullagh provided a cautioned memo statement to gardaí accepting his ownership of the drugs.

Defence solicitor Louis Kiernan said his client was remorseful, and said he had no previous convictions at the time of the incident.

“He was cooperative with gardaí and he wants to apologise,” said Mr Kiernan.

The court was told that despite his lack of current employment, Mr McCullagh’s hopes to establish his own online business.

Judge Owens fined the accused €200, giving him nine months to pay.