A LIMERICK man facing sentencing for a string of drug dealing offences is being kept under strict 23-hour lockdown in prison for his own safety, a court has heard.
Ian Hopkins (33), of Fedamore, County Limerick, was placed in restrictive protective custody at Limerick Prison after drugs belonging to underworld figures, which he had in his possession, were seized by Gardaí.
Mr Hopkins, who admitted distributing drugs and laundering money on behalf of unidentified criminals, appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Colin Daly heard he would receive consecutive sentences as he continued to commit offences while on bail.
Hopkins, who has 43 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to a catalogue of offences, including possession of cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply, money laundering, and possession of weapons including a hatchet, screwdriver, and handsaw.
His barrister, Brian McInerney SC, told the court that Hopkins is now under protective custody in Limerick Prison, confined to his cell for 23 hours a day.
“He is on protection while in custody, in order to protect him from individuals or agents of individuals who are unhappy that he was subject to Garda attention, and because a significant amount of drugs were seized,” Mr McInerney said.
While not at the bottom of Limerick’s drug trade, McInerney argued Hopkins is “a long, long way from the top”.
Hopkins came to the attention of Gardaí in December 2020, when he was stopped while driving a Mercedes containing a shoebox packed with cannabis and €24,810 in cash wrapped in plastic and hidden under his seat.
Hopkins told officers he had collected the drugs and cash in Wexford for an unidentified person. Asked about the cash, he replied chillingly: “Me getting shot is what that is for. There’s €20,000 there.”
In January 2021, Gardaí intercepted Hopkins in a car at Castletroy, seizing cannabis worth €554, large sums of cash, and a hatchet and screwdriver, which Hopkins claimed he carried “for protection”.
A follow-up search of an apartment in Bloomfield, Annacotty, linked to Hopkins, yielded over €16,000 worth of cannabis, €2,951 in cash, amphetamines, and more drug paraphernalia.
“He was a classic drugs mule, carrying out activities for other criminals,” said prosecution barrister John O’Sullivan BL.
Hopkins said he was addicted to drugs and trying to pay off a €40,000 debt to unknown parties and that he was taking tablets for anxiety and depression.
On February 4, 2021, Hopkins was arrested again — this time in the back of a taxi with nearly €10,000 worth of cannabis. A follow-up search of his Annacotty apartment unearthed €26,105 in cash, more drugs, high-end clothing, and a vacuum-packing machine.
He claimed he used the machine to seal and bury cash as part of efforts to settle a mounting €50,000 debt to criminal associates.
Hopkins, who had no employment since 2019, told Gardaí he was living on social welfare, studying cybersecurity online, and still struggling with addiction. His barrister said he had since kicked the habit while in custody.
Judge Daly remanded Hopkins in continuing custody ahead of sentencing on May 2.
