AN apprentice plasterer is to plead guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a number of drugs charges, including the possession of drugs valued at €13,000 or more.

Ryan Kelleher, of 2 Whitethorn Grove, Bandon appeared at Bandon District Court last week to answer five drug charges relating to incidents in 2024.

These include the alleged possession of cannabis and the possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply at 2 Whitethorn Grove on March 25th 2024.

He is also charged with the alleged possession of cannabis and the possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply at Castle Bernard on the same date.

It is further alleged that he had drugs in his possession for the purpose of sale or supply valued at €13,000 or more contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told Judge Joanne Carroll that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that he be tried at Cork Circuit Court on all five charges.

The DPP also consented for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea should that arise.

Mr Kelleher’s solicitor Plunkett Taaffe indicated to the court that his client is going forward on a signed plea to all charges.

Judge Carroll issued the accused an alibi warning and said he had 14 days from that court date to notify the State if he intends to rely on an alibi.

Free legal aid was granted to Mr Taaffe which was extended to include one junior counsel for the Circuit Court trial.

Judge Carroll remanded him on bail in his own cash bond of €200 and returned him to the next sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on April 28th.