Theft accused released without charger
A YOUNG MAN facing larceny charges was discovered in a District Court to have tiny bags of heroin hidden in his penis and a mobile phone and charger up his rectum.
Incredibly, gardai said last night that when the man was medically examined after officers became suspicious of him in court, it was found that the mobile phone was turned on while hidden inside him.
Both the phone, charger and SIM card were carefully wrapped in tin-foil and coated with Vaseline.
The unexpected revelation was made at Midleton District Court, where the man was scheduled to answer theft charges -- and potentially face a prison term. The man is from Cork and is believed to suffer from a serious drug habit.
Gardai in the court received a tip-off that the man should be searched for drugs and controlled substances.
He was initially taken to a local GP who then advised that he be taken to a Cork hospital. It was then discovered that the man had five tiny plastic sachets of heroin stuffed up inside the foreskin of his penis.
The drugs have an estimated street value of around €500 -- and are believed to have been intended for his use in prison had he received a jail term.
A special examination and X-ray at Cork University Hospital (CUH) revealed a large tin-foil wrapped packet shoved up the man's rectum. When it was removed, it was found to contain a modern, ultra-small mobile phone completed with SIM card and charger.
After being examined in hospital for less than two hours, the man was arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act. He was later released without charge. A file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Ralph Riegel
