Court hears man used fleet of ice cream vans as cover for major cocaine business

A mobile ice cream van, which sold ice-lollies and cones to children around parks and sports venues, was being used as a cover for a major drugs distribution business, Limerick circuit criminal court heard today.

Court hears man used fleet of ice cream vans as cover for major cocaine business

A mobile ice cream van, which sold ice-lollies and cones to children around parks and sports venues, was being used as a cover for a major drugs distribution business, Limerick circuit criminal court heard today, writes David Raleigh.

The owner of the van, Paul Collopy, aged 41, started out in life transporting coal on a horse and cart, but after venturing into the ice cream business, he discovered it was the perfect way to hide and sell drugs.

Paul Collopy pleaded guilty at Limerick circuit court to one count of possessing cocaine for sale or supply at his home, Glenbrook, Bloodmill Road, Ballysimon, on November 25, 2014.

Detective Garda David McGrath, Limerick Drugs Squad, told the court that when gardaí searched the van they discovered more than €6,000 worth of cocaine.

One batch was found in a lunchbox concealed under the bonnet near the engine, while the other was discovered in "a money bag" near a window in the van where ice cream would be served to unsuspecting members of the public.

The bag also contained two "tick lists" in which the names of people, "who owed money for drugs", appeared. The drugs invoice showed €45,000 worth of cocaine had been sold.

When gardaí approached Collopy, who had been standing under the bonnet of the van, he slammed it shut and was seen dropping a spoon and a digital weighing scales.

Gardaí also found €5,000 in cash in Collopy's house at Glenbrook, Bloodmill Road, Ballysimon.

Collopy, whose family have no criminal connections, had amassed 70 convictions prior to his arrest, the court heard.

Collopy was convicted in December 2007 of selling €17,000 worth of cocaine, and sentenced to five years in jail. He was released in 2011, however in October 2014, he was caught in Ennis with heroin worth €28,000 for sale or supply and was sentenced to six years with the final two years suspended last November.

Det. Garda McGrath said Collopy was a "chronic cocaine and crack cocaine addict".

"My own opinion and the opinion of the divisional drugs squad would be that he is a drugs wholesaler rather than a street dealer. He would be giving the drugs to others to break down for street dealing," he added.

The court heard Collopy, a father of three, was "selling drugs to break even".

"He had a €200 a day drug habit," Det Gda McGrath added.

Judge Tom O'Donnell remanded Collopy in custody for sentencing on December 16.

State prosecutor John O'Sullivan said Collopy comes from "a good family with no criminal connections".

"He started sniffing glue aged 10. He started using other drugs in his teens. He was working from the age of 12 drawing coal on a horse and cart and later in his own pick-up truck."

Detective Garda McGrath said Collopy was selling ice cream from a fleet of vans in public parks and sports venues around the city.

"He was effectively caught red-handed," the detective said.

Mr O'Sullivan said Collopy was attending "music and cooking classes" while in prison on remand.

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Drug death in Cork Prison could be linked to nitazene opiate Drug death in Cork Prison could be linked to nitazene opiate
Four people hospitalised following suspected arson at West Dublin home  Four people hospitalised following suspected arson at West Dublin home 
Watch: St. Patrick’s Day Reception and Shamrock Ceremony at the White House Watch: St. Patrick’s Day Reception and Shamrock Ceremony at the White House
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited