€17,000 cash found in fridge during drugs search in Bantry, Co Cork

Gardaí conducted a drug search at a residence in Bantry, Co Cork, where they discovered over €17,000 in cash concealed in the refrigerator and over €4,000 worth of cannabis at other locations within the property. Detective Garda Andrew Manning led the operation at Henry Hegarty’s home in Ballylickey, Bantry, County Cork on December 10, 2019. Despite not being present at the time of the search, the warrant was used to execute the operation. The authorities found the cannabis totaling €4,178 in various areas of the property, including the hot press, main bedroom, and the utility room. While searching the property, police found a letter that Hegarty had written pledging to stop dealing drugs. A total of €17,270 was discovered inside the refrigerator, and €15,000 of that was legitimately borrowed by the accused from a third party to repay a debt. The remaining €2,270 was forfeited to the state. During questioning, Hegarty tried to minimize his responsibility, claiming he only shared or gave the drugs to his friends. The judge took into account the fact that the accused was previously of good character and had a history of being a productive member of society by imposing a two-year suspended sentence.