THE son of a retired garda who was caught in possession of drugs, a knuckle duster and fireworks pleaded guilty to three charges.

Oisín Healy (30), was stopped by gardaí while on his way to an after party in Moyross Woods after DJing at Connolly’s of Leap.

He pleaded guilty at Skibbereen District Court to three charges of drug possession and one for possessing an offensive weapon. A fireworks charge was withdrawn.

The accused, of Inchvale Close, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas, Cork city, was spotted in a jeep at 1.50am on August 24th 2024 by gardaí on patrol. T

wo gardaí stopped the jeep and spoke to the driver and Mr Healy who was a front seat passenger in the car.

They found a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and carried out a search of it and found two small bags of white powder, one of which was found on Mr Healy’s person.

A cannabis grinder, a knuckle duster and fireworks were also recovered.

The court heard that the accused took ownership of the items and said that the drugs were for his own personal use.

The confiscated drugs were cocaine and cannabis which had a street value of €350.

The fireworks in the car were valued at €60.

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said her client had been diagnosed with ADHD and worked as a construction labourer.

‘He had the knuckle duster for his own personal safety. His father was a garda and was involved in the detection of serious crime in West Cork. The family suffered quite a bit in terms of intimidation and there was a time when they had security outside of their home,’ said Ms McCarthy.

The court heard that he was assaulted in 2023 while walking home from work in Cork city by an associate of a drug dealer known to his father.

The case was  later heard in Cork District Court and Mr Ryan’s assailant pleaded guilty.

‘All of his life he has had some element of protection and that’s why he chose to carry a knuckle duster around with him,’ said Ms McCarthy who also handed the court a letter attesting to his ADHD diagnosis from 2014.

She said that the condition would have contributed to his fears and paranoia, adding that he has no previous convictions.

Mr Healy said he is currently in drug treatment and regularly attends Narcotics Anonymous, having been off drugs since his 30th birthday in September 2025.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she was aware of the fact the defendant has no previous convictions, had an ADHD diagnosis and had been off drugs.

She adjourned the case to July 28th and requested a Probation Report.

The judge also directed that he attend counselling and submit two random drug tests until his next court date.

‘If you are off drugs and stay off drugs I will treat this benignly. Cocaine is a serious drug. I’ve noted the difficulties you have had by virtue of your father’s career,’ said Judge Carroll.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy applied for a destruction order for the fireworks, which the judge granted.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.