Judge sentences Kerry heroin dealer who was ‘given every opportunity’ to 17 months
The KerrymanA man was sentenced to 17 months in prison at Tralee District Court last Wednesday, October 22, after pleading guilty to possession of crystal meth and heroin for sale or supply.
The court heard that on September 19, gardai on patrol saw Patrick Ziga (35) of 7 Cahill’s Park, Tralee in the company of a group. When searched, gardai found he had €750 of heroin, €60 of crystal meth and €15 of cannabis, as well as weighing scales and bags.
He was also charged with burglary when found in a vacant apartment with €240 worth of heroin and €140 of amphetamines on September 6.
He was charged for the theft of a bicycle from St John’s Church in Tralee on July 13.
Mr Ziga had 39 priors, including two for theft, four for burglary and 11 for the unlawful possession as well drug charges for sale or supply.
His solicitor, David Ramsay, said his client sold drugs to pay for his addiction.
“The reason for supply is to, as they say, get money to feed his own habit,” said Mr Ramsay. “He just feels at times he’s completely helpless to his addiction.”
Mr Ziga had fully cooperated with gardai and cares full time for his sick mother, the solicitor said.
Judge David Waters noted Mr Ziga had sold heroin while on bail.
“He’s been given every opportunity,” said the judge.
He convicted Mr Ziga, sentencing him to eight and nine months for the September 6 and September 19 charges respectively.
The sentences will run consecutively and be backdated to when Mr Ziga entered custody on September 20.
He was sentenced to three months for the burglary, to run concurrently.