Kildare resident swung bar during drugs search
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who tried attack raiding gardaí with an iron bar before they discovered almost €5,000 worth of amphetamines, was sentenced to nine months in prison recently (4 June).
Naas District Court heard how Victors Ivanovs (48) — a separated father of two — with an address at Ballymanny Mews, Newbridge, was at home on his own on the evening of 6 April, 2022 when officers with a search warrant attempted to gain entry, but were refused.
“He picked up a bar and started swinging,” explained Sergeant Mary Meade.
“Gardaí continued searching, and uncovered amphetamine worth €4,845, along with €80 worth of cannabis.
“He has four previous convictions, all for road traffic offences.”
“During disclosure, he told me he believed his home was being invaded, and that it wasn’t An Garda Síochána,” explained defending solicitor Matt Byrne.
It was revealed that his swinging of that bar was a little wild, and “there is no charge of assaulting Garda Doyle”.
“In October 2022 my client was in a significant road traffic accident in which his injuries led to a disability, and he can’t work,” said Mr Byrne.
“He has a hip injury, and has a personal injury claim pending.
“Matters before Naas District Court previously were struck out on the states’s failure to provide a certificate of analysis,” he said.
“If convicted he could be facing up to life in prison,” warned Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“He has no previous for drugs,” Mr Byrne reminded the judge.
“Society is being destroyed by illicit drugs, and this court will not stand by and let this happen,” said the judge.
“I see the consequences all the time, and it’s tragic,” he concluded, before passing on the sentence.
