Carlow court heard 91 tablets found hidden in trouser leg
Pic: Michael O'Rourke
NINETY-ONE diazepam tablets were found hidden in a man’s trouser leg after gardaí were called to a hotel disturbance, Carlow District Court heard.
Gary Costigan (27) appeared before Carlow District Court, where his solicitor Joe Farrell entered a guilty plea on his behalf to possession of the tablets.
The court heard that on 11 February 2023 at 8.55pm, Garda Moulton responded to a call from the Woodford Dolmen Hotel reporting that a male was refusing to leave the premises. When gardaí arrived, Mr Costigan of Brockna, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow was standing outside the entrance to the hotel and had “left in a peaceful manner with his girlfriend”.
Garda Moulton stopped to speak to Mr Costigan and noticed a smell of cannabis off him. He carried out a search under the and discovered 91 diazepam tablets concealed in the defendant’s trouser leg.
Mr Costigan made a full admission to possession of the tablets for personal use. A Forensic Science Ireland analysis confirmed the tablets were benzodiazepines, valued at €1 per tablet.
The defendant has 14 previous convictions, only one of which relates to a misuse of drugs offence.
In mitigation, Mr Farrell told the court that his client had suffered a serious car accident in recent years and was currently on disability.
Judge Geraldine Carthy directed that a probation report be prepared for early June. She indicated that the matter was being treated seriously, telling the court: “Given the nature of the offence, I am considering custody.”
