Drug accused’s house burnt to the ground

MAN FINDS OUT HIS HOUSE BURNT DOWN ONLY AFTER EXITING REHABILITATION COURSE AT BRUREE

A BALLYDUFF man only learned that his house had ‘mysteriously’ burnt to the ground on recently exiting the addiction-rehabilitation centre in Bruree.

John McCarthy, Lacca, Ballyduff was before Judge James O’Connor at Listowel District Court on Thursday charged with the possession of cocaine for the purposes of selling, the unlawful possession of cocaine and the unlawful possession of cannabis.

The court heard Mr McCarthy is likely facing prison when the case of drug-dealing - to which he has pleaded guilty - comes again on July 6 for finalising.

However, in the course of Thursday’s hearing, Judge O’Connor heard that Mr McCarthy’s home in Ballyduff had burned to the ground and Mr McCarthy only learned of it recently after leaving the centre where he had successfully completed a five-month stint.

Solicitor Pádraig O’Connell said an ‘awful lot of difficulties had been visited’ on his client in years past, acknowledging there had been a ‘slight tinge of criminality’ to some of his client’s background.

“But there is a very compassionate aspect to his character having cared for his elderly parents and Down syndrome brother,” Mr O’Connell said.

Judge O’Connor pointed to the drug paraphernalia also found at the scene, including weighing scales and bags. It emerged that Mr McCarthy had no previous convictions for drugs and Mr O’Connell suggested his client had ‘ taken certain responsibilities where others...may have been responsible’. Mr O’Connell said his client was aware he would ‘go in’ for a time and would not appeal the likely outcome on July 6.