A DAD of three caught with cocaine had the drugs concealed in a Ziploc bag in a zipped up jacket pocket when gardaí requested him to open all his pockets.

Mark O’Driscoll (37), of Inse Alainn, Skibbereen, pleaded guilty at Skibbereen District Court to possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The court  heard that on March 22nd 2025, gardaí stopped a vehicle. During the search gardaí saw two men nearby trying to hide who then fled the scene.

Gardaí later found the men elsewhere in town.

Mr O’Driscoll was wearing a large jacket which had its left pocket zipped up. On request, the defendant opened all pockets except the zipped up one.

The garda then found a clear Ziploc bag containing a white powder and the defendant admitted it was cocaine, valued at €125, for his own personal use.

The court heard that he has 50 previous convictions for theft, robbery, possession of stolen property, assault, criminal damage and public order incidents.

His most recent conviction was for driving without insurance, at Waterford District Court on March 6th 2025 where he was given a five-months suspended sentence, suspended for one year, and disqualified from driving for four years.

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said her client was from a disadvantaged background and had recently moved to Waterford.

‘He comes to Skibbereen to visit his mother and other family members. He’s generally not around here,’ said Ms McCarthy.

The court heard that he does not have a drug problem and had not used drugs since the incident.

Mr O’Driscoll is on long-term disability benefits due to illiteracy and he was also subject to a community service Order in Waterford, which means he works eight hours on Saturdays. 

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted and fined him €100 and gave him four months to pay the fine.

She did not activate the suspended sentence taking into consideration that he is a father-of-three children, with his youngest child aged one.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.