Kilkenny man swallowed crack cocaine when searched by garda

Swallowing a piece of crack cocaine when searched by a garda resulted in a conviction for obstruction, at Kilkenny District Court.

Evidence was heard that on July 13 last, gardaí were on patrol on Hebron Road when they observed a man acting suspiciously.

Wayne McGrory, Good Shepherd Hostel, Chapel Lane, was seen entering the grounds of the O’Loughlin Gaels GAA club.
A garda followed Mr McGrory and spoke to him. Mr McGrory said he was meeting a friend.
The garda observed Mr McGrory was ‘in bad condition’, and was shaking.

He was searched by the garda but nothing was found.
The garda then observed a small, rock-like substance between the defendant’s cheek and teeth. He swallowed it to prevent the garda getting it.

Mr McGrory has 238 previous convictions, the court heard, but just one of those is for possession of drugs.
Solicitor Chris Hogan said at the time his client had an addiction to crack cocaine.
He had just purchased the drug when he was stopped by gardaí.
He was ‘relatively cooperative’ until he swallowed the drug. He admitted to the garda it was crack cocaine he had swallowed.

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Mr Hogan said that his client served a custodial sentence late last year and since his release, in December, there has been a huge de-escalation in his behaviour.
He acknowledged it is early days but this is ‘an achievement of sorts’ for his client because he is engaging with the services and he has restored his relationship with his family. He is on a methadone programme.

It is not perfect but it is a marked improvement in behaviour, Mr Hogan said of his client.
He is at a ‘crossroads’ at the moment and the Probation Service may be able to offer support, the solicitor said.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said the court had considered a custodial sentence but would adjourn the matter to September for a Probation Report.
On that day she will also be asking the gardaí if Mr McGrory has come to garda attention.
The case was adjourned to September 18.