Drug overdose 'nearly killed' Offaly cocaine addict, District Court hears

Sentences imposed on imprisoned Tullamore 31-year-old who aims to 'rid himself of addiction'

Published 9th Jul 2026, 20:00 BST Tullamore District Court hears man nearly died from overdose | Tribune Pictures Sentences imposed on imprisoned Tullamore 31-year-old who aims to 'rid himself of addiction' Sign up to our Offaly Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Offaly Live within your account.

A TULLAMORE man who survived a near-fatal overdose is going to stop using drugs , the local District Court was told.

Martin Cawley (31), 50 Puttaghaun, Tullamore, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody in custody accused of obstruction under Section 21 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, a public order offence and an offence of failing to appear in court.

He also faced re-entry by the prosecution of a sentence which had previously been suspended and the court heard he was currently serving a five-month sentence and was on remand in relation to other matters.

Apart from alleged offences which were before the Circuit Court this year, Mr Cawley had more than 20 previous convictions.

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Sergeant Justine Reilly said that among the previous convictions was one for cocaine possession.

He received a three-month sentence for that and that sentence was suspended for three years.

Defence counsel David Nugent said Mr Cawley had been remanded in custody by Judge Keenan Johnson to the November sitting of Tullamore Circuit Court in relation to separate matters.

Mr Nugent told the District Court the man was addicted to cocaine and “nearly killed himself in February” by taking the drug after he had left a treatment centre.

That was a “salutary warning to him”, said the barrister, adding that all his charges related back to his cocaine addiction.

While he presented most of the time as placid and agreeable, the drugs he was one “never agreed with him” and his family were in court to support him and could testify to that.

Mr Nugent added: “He's always had, given his background, a confrontational bent towards gardai.”

However, at the same time, he had great respect for the gardai and understood they are an important part of the process and without them society would fall apart.

Mr Nugent said Mr Cawley he was doing well in prison and would be getting drug treatment. “He has decided that he is going to rid himself of the addiction.”

Judge Cody imposed a three-month sentence on the obstruction charge, a one-month sentence for failing to appear in court and another two-month sentence.

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On March 2 last a bench warrant was issued for Mr Cawley when he was convicted in his absence of possessing a controlled substance on June 11, 2025.

Garda John Dunning said he was executing a bench warrant for Mr Cawley at a Flat above Eclipse Hair Salon, Harbour Street, Tullamore on that date and he subsequently searched the man on Harbour Street where a piece of tissue containing a white powder in a plastic bag was taken from him.

Garda Dunning said when the accused was cautioned and asked what it was, he replied: “Go ahead and test it, it's not cocaine.”

The garda said the alleged cocaine was sent to Forensic Science Ireland for testing and “came back positive” for cocaine. The value of the drug was €30.

Judge Andrew Cody found Mr Cawley guilty saying the substance had been certified as cocaine so he convicted the man of possession.

The court was also told the accused had 27 previous convictions and also had an outstanding suspended sentence for obstruction under the Misuse of Drugs Act dating from January 2025.

Two days later, on March 4 this year, Mr Cawley appeared in court after being arrested the previous day at Chapel Street in Tullamore.

Garda John Connolly told the court the man was the subject of 10 prior warrants going back to 2018.

Garda Connolly said Mr Cawley was unlawfully at large at the time of his arrest and would be going to the Midlands Prison following his court appearance.

He had been serving a sentence of eight months but did not finish it because he had not returned after being released for a week.

Mr Nugent told the court his client had missed the court appearance because he had been in hospital and was in a coma following a seizure.

Mr Nugent said Mr Cawley had sought and received help for his addiction but had a relapse.

The addiction had a grip on him and contributed to his seizures and he was trying to navigate his way through the medical system which was “full to the brim” of people with addictions.