DRUG DEALER SOLD HEROIN TO GARDA

A STREET drug dealer who sold deals of heroin to the same undercover garda three times within 11 days has been sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Gardai were working undercover in the Drogheda area in January 2014 when Tadas Kandrotas sold one of the gardai deals of heroin worth €50 on three different occasions within the same month.

The defendant, of Cedarfield in Drogheda pleaded guilty to three charges of having heroin for sale or supply on Francis Street, Drogheda on January 17 and on Breoin Street on January 21 and 28, 2014.

He also pleaded guilty to being in possession of heroin for sale or supply on Bachelors Lane, Drogheda on May 17, 2014.

Garda Evan Connolly gave evidence at Drogheda District Court that undercover gardai were working on both streets when Kandrotas sold one of them two bags of heroin worth €50 on the three occasions.

Garda Michael Mannion gave evidence that while he was on drugs patrol in the area, he came across the defendant who was cycling a bicycle. He said the defendant reached into his right pocket and dropped a bag of heroin.

He has 19 previous road traffic convictions, the court heard.

Defence barrister Irene Sands said the 28-year-old, who hails from Lithuania, is a full time mechanic.

“I made it clear to him he is at risk,” said Ms Sands, adding she wanted Judge John Coughlan to “take into account the relatively small amounts” of drugs involved.

Judge Coughlan remarked: “He was selling drugs. The situation is this man is a drug dealer and he was caught for times,” and imposed the 11 month prison sentence.

He fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.