Portlaoise Court: Homeless man ‘used’ to store drugs
Portlaoise Courthouse
A HOMELESS man who was offered accommodation in exchange for holding drugs was charged with money laundering and possessing drugs when he came before Portlaoise District Court.
Garda Neil Slevin told Judge Susan Fay that on 26 May 2023 gardaí executed a search warrant at 45 Kilnacourt Wood, Portarlington, where they found a quantity of drugs and €510 in cash and arrested the occupant Patrick Flood.
Mr Flood, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to both charges.
Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald told the court that his client “was homeless and vulnerable at the time. It was suggested by somebody, that’s known to gardaí to be connected to drugs, that he’d be given free rent if, in return, he did certain things. He was effectively used as a gilly”.
Garda Slevin said: “He was being used to store drugs.”
Mr Fitzgerald said his 35-year-old client is originally from Nass, Co Kildare.
“He was in care from a young age and fell into homelessness. He was looking for some place to stay and this sinister person took him in. He appeared to have been exploited but is now living away from the premises.” said Mr Fitzgerald.
Judge Fay remanded Mr Flood on continuing bail, asked that a probation report be under- taken on the defendant and adjourned the case to 12 May.
