Courts / Carlow / Report
Tullow man jailed after €5k cannabis found hidden behind couch
Summary
A man from Tullow has been jailed for 21 months after €5,000 worth of cannabis was found hidden behind a couch in his home. Michal Plecha (50) of Shroughaun Close, Tullow, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis valued at €5,100 and amphetamine valued at €525 on November 27, 2024. He also admitted to possessing a stolen chainsaw and bicycle. The court heard that a warrant was secured to search his home, where the drugs were found in a sportsbag behind the couch. A digital weighing scale, plastic bags, and €900 in cash were also discovered. Plecha claimed the cash was for buying a car, but gardaí suspect it is from drug trafficking. The stolen items were found in his home, and Plecha said he had bought the chainsaw second-hand and that a friend had left the bike behind. His defence accepted that his engagement with The Probation Service had been inconsistent.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Tullow man jailed after €5k cannabis found hidden behind couch. Charges or matters: having cannabis valued at €5,100 and amphetamine valued at €525 at his home on November 27, 2024; possession of a stolen chainsaw and stolen bicycle on the same occasion but it was accepted in court that there was "an element of recklessness around the origin of that property". Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 27, 2024 Incident
- 2026-05-21 Publication
Why: The court heard that gardaí suspect he was dealing because of the scales and bagging material found at Plecha's home. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: having cannabis valued at €5,100 and amphetamine valued at €525 at his home on November 27, 2024; possession of a stolen chainsaw and stolen bicycle on the same occasion but it was accepted in court that there was "an element of recklessness around the origin of that property" (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge O'Kelly imposed concurrent sentences of two years and three months and 18 months for both offences.
Places mentioned
Topics
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