A young man, his father and uncle appeared together before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court in connection with drug and money laundering offences.

Cian Troy, aged 23, of Abbeyvale, Corbally, Limerick pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis worth over €4,000 for sale or supply in Shanabooley Avenue, Ballynanty on 28 May 2021.

Cian Troy’s father – Mark Troy, 50, of Abbeyvale, Corbally pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis at his home address on the same date.

Noel Troy, 57, of Shanabooley Avenue, Ballynanty – an uncle and aunt of the two previous accused – pleaded guilty to money laundering after gardai discovered €89,000 in cash at his address.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by state barrister Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Kieran Lynch.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardai carried out an intelligence-led operation targeting the sale or supply of drugs at a house in Shanabooley Avenue, Ballynanty, on May 28, 2021.

“Cian Troy was observed running backwards and throwing a plastic bag into a neighboring house. He said he panicked. This was recovered by gardai,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

The court heard that €4,122 worth of cannabis, with some of it bagged and ready for street distribution.

Mr O’Suliivan said Cian Troy told gardai he started smoking cannabis after he was hit by a bus while cycling.

“He said he got the cannabis on the tick from someone outside the house. He said he intended to sell it to cover the cost and smoke the rest,” the lawyer said.

Mr O’Sullivan said €89,960 in cash was found by gardai at Noel Troy’s home.

“He accepted that he had not worked since the 1980s when he was a shoemaker. He said he got into debt for cocaine and was given the money in exchange for 200 euros being taken out of debt. He took responsibility but feared for his own safety if he named anyone,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Gardai then raided Mark Troy’s home in Abbeyvale, Corbally, where they found six nearly mature cannabis plants, valued at €800 each.

“He told the guard that he grew cannabis for medical purposes. He said he can’t afford to buy it, so he grows it himself. He made a screen in his bedroom. He explained that he has chronic back pain after being in a car accident.

“He admitted it was against the law. He said he wasn’t profiting from it,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Amy Nix BL, representing Cian Troy, said her client was 19 at the time, had not come to gardaí’s attention since, panicked when gardai arrived at the house and made a confession.

The barrister said Cian Troy is in full-time education studying social studies at Limerick College of Further Education (LCFE).

Cian’s mother Troy took the stand, saying Cian is a great son and brother to his sister who has spina bifida.

Mrs Nix handed over positive letters from representatives of LCFE, Limerick Mental Health Association and Moyross Youth Academy.

“It is very bad. There are no trappings of wealth. He is on the right track,” said Ms Nix, who asked Judge Sinead McMullen to allow him to continue his studies and not impose a custodial sentence.

Aaron Desmond BL, for Noel Troy, said his client was looking after his brother in the home he had lived in for 53 years.

“The house is basic. There are no trappings of wealth. He co-operated with gardai and admitted the money was likely to have come illegally.

“He came into the orbit of certain people with unpleasant dispositions,” Mr. Desmond said

Lorcan Connolly SC, for Mark Troy, said his client had grown six medicinal cannabis plants.

“His chronic back pain did not respond to conventional medications. He has five children – four live at home. It was not a sophisticated operation. He was growing cannabis for his own use and was not involved in the supply sale,” Mr Connolly said.

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Judge McMullen adjourned matters for a week to consider sentence. When the matter came before the judge again, she handed down a two-year fully suspended sentence in relation to Cian Troy for possessing cannabis for sale or supply.

Judge McMullen sentenced Noel Troy to three years in prison for money laundering.

Mark Troy received a two-year suspended sentence for cultivating cannabis and a concurrent one-year suspended sentence for possessing cannabis.