Two Tipperary firemen, named as Mr Michael Morgan, aged 43, with an address at Cluain Muillean, Nenagh, and Mr John Walsh, aged 36, residing at Coille Bheithe, Nenagh, appeared before Nenagh Circuit Court, yesterday, for the second day of their trial; accused of having cocaine worth an estimated €78,000, for sale or supply.
Nenagh Circuit Court heard that the illegal drug Cocaine was located in Mr Michael Morgan’s work locker, during a routine inspection at the fire station.
Several past and present members of Nenagh fire services gave evidence of seeing a white powder substance in a green plastic lunchbox. Gardaí had been alerted and both accused men were arrested before being charged in connection with the seizure of suspected Cocaine.
Both men are currently charged with one count of possession of Cocaine for sale or supply, and with one count of possession of being in Cocaine.
A 12 person jury, heard that a number of people would have had access to the firefighters work locker area, as the lockers are routinely left open, thus allowing firefighters quick access to neecessary equipment, when responding to emergency calls.
Garda Mr Andrew O’Loughlin, Nenagh Garda Station, said he responded to a call from Nenagh Fire Station on the evening in question and was shown a box containing a white powdery substance; contents of which were divided up into equal quantities and enclosed in plastic wrapping; same, allegedly discovered in Mr Morgan’s work locker. Forensic analysis later confirmed the substance was Cocaine.
Cocaine has become the second most trafficked illegal drug in the world and no longer the drug of choice for just wealthy people. Today it has the reputation of being a most dangerous and highly addictive drug, strongly linked to poverty, serious crime and death.
The trial continues today.
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