A garda who answered a call on a mobile phone owned by a drug dealer found himself talking to a customer, Cork Criminal Circuit Court heard yesterday.
A male voice asked the Garda for some "yokes" - which he took to mean the supply of ecstasy tablets belonging to Anthony Delaney (38), a self-confessed dealer, of The Acres, Pouladuff Rd, Cork.
Delaney and his sister, Helen Long (36) of Connolly Rd, Ballyphehane, Cork, pleaded guilty to possessing 1,000 ecstasy tablets, with a street value of £12,000, on July 24th last year for the purpose of sale or supply to others,
Det. Sgt. Michael Fitzpatrick said that he and other officers searched Delaney's home and during the search Long arrived at the house. The tablets were found wrapped in a plastic bag in her handbag. They were both arrested .
Delaney took responsibility for the tablets. Gardai believed his sister played only a minor role . She told them she was to receive £50 for "moving" the ecstasy for her brother.
The court was told that both defendants were married with six children each. Long had no previous convictions.
Judge Anthony Murphy said that he would not take Long away from her children. He imposed a four-year suspended sentence on her. He sentenced Delaney to seven years, but said that in view of his admission of guilt he would review this in a year's time.