Teen to face Circuit Court over €50k drug seizure
A 17-year-old Dublin boy is to face trial before a judge and jury over a seizure of more than €50,000 worth of cocaine and heroin at his home.
The boy had been charged at the Children's Court with possessing quantities of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at his west Dublin home on a date last December.
He also faces an additional charge under section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act. That relates to having illegal drugs valued in excess of €13,000, which on conviction on indictment can carry a sentence of 10 years.
Today Judge Bryan Smyth rejected a plea from the defence to keep the case in the juvenile court and he held that the case should be sent forward for trial on indictment to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has wider sentencing powers.
Garda Michael McNulty told Judge Smyth it was alleged that a search was a carried out at the boy's home resulting in the drugs find.
“They were found in the accused's bedroom and in the bathroom, I asked where the drugs were and he admitted they were his,” he said. The court was told that the values of the drugs were, “cocaine, €13,000 and heroin €40,000.”
Counsel for the boy had pleaded for the case to be kept in the jurisdiction of the Children's Court and told the judge that her client had no prior convictions had completed a training course and was actively looking for employment, with the support of his parents.
However, Judge Smyth held that the case should go to the higher court. He remanded the west Dublin boy, who was accompanied to his case by his parents, on bail to appear again in November when he is to be served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial.
