Heroin dealer ‘catapulted’ by gang into Galway

Another Lithuanian drug dealer who was “catapulted” into Galway to sell heroin for a criminal gang, has been given the maximum sentence of six months for obstructing Gardai by swallowing bags of heroin as they went to search him.

Judge Mary Fahy said that Robert Turkovski (24), with an address at 21 Sylvan Avenue, Fairlands Park, Newcastle, was “just one more, catapulted into Galway to do the needful for someone else.”

The above rental address made headlines last week then Judge Fahy likened the house to a type of Lithuanian Embassy for known drug dealers.

Turkovski pleaded not guilty to obstructing Garda Noel McNulty at Riverside, Tuam Road, on January 19 last.

The accused had only been in Galway for two weeks and had already come to Garda attention during his first week here when he and another man were searched by Gardaí.

Nothing was found on them on that occasion, but the court heard evidence on Monday from Garda McNulty that on January 19, he and Garda Cathal Rodgers were carrying out surveillance at a known heroin-dealing area in Riverside when they observed Turkovski standing in a green area.  He was being approached by known heroin users at the time.

Garda McNulty said he and Garda Rodgers approached Turkovski and told him they were Gardaí and wanted to search him.

Garda McNulty said he saw Turkovski place bags of heroin in his mouth. He refused to spit them out and swallowed them.

He said the accused became aggressive and resisted arrest and had to be pepper-sprayed before being taken to Galway Garda Station where he was subsequently charged.

He said Gardai were aware this particular area is used by well-known heroin users and that a Lithuanian drugs gang are operating in this area.

Garda Rodgers said he had stopped and searched Turkovski the week before and the accused knew very well he and Garda McNulty were Gardaí

Turkovski gave evidence with the aid of a Lithuanian interpreter that he was not aware the men who approached him were Gardaí.  He denied he had placed anything in his mouth.

He claimed the Gardaí had used force to arrest him and he had gone to that area to buy some “weed” for himself but could not find the person he was looking for.

In reply to Insp Brendan Carroll, Turkovski denied he was a drug dealer and said he didn’t recognise Garda Rodgers because it was dark at the time and he had been pepper-sprayed in the eyes.

In reply to Judge Fahy, he said people in 21 Sylvan Avenue had given him a number and told him he could buy drugs in that area.

“Your address is 21 Sylvan Avenue.  That is the address given in this court by all the people who appear in court for obstruction of Gardai and for the sale of drugs.  Were you a tenant there?,” she asked.

“Not for long.  I was only two weeks in Galway,” Turkovski replied through the interpreter.

Judge Fahy remarked: “That figures. Now he was in the city two weeks.  He had been Dublin before that. Obviously, he is one of the ones catapulted into Galway do the needful for someone else.  I do not accept his evidence.  It doesn’t add up.” J

She convicted Turkovski and imposed the maximum six-month sentence for obstruction of a Garda.

Leave to appeal was granted on condition the accused provide a residential address to the State and give 48 hours’ notice of the proposed address and proposed independent surety.  He is to stay away from the Riverside area and NUIG campus and all of its buildings and environs pending any such appeal.