Ben Murphy jailed for holding drugs worth nearly €150,000

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Ben Murphy was jailed for six years, with the final four and a half years suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 27 July 2020.

Murphy pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and MDMA for sale or supply. The offences related to 16 August 2018. He had no previous convictions.

Garda John Griffin told the court that Murphy appeared nervous before gardaí searched him. They found cocaine in his hand and down his trousers; he tried to run but was arrested. A search of his home in Clondalkin uncovered MDMA in his bedroom. Prosecuting counsel Michael Hourigan said the cocaine was valued at €48,000 and the MDMA at €97,000.

Murphy told gardaí he had been put under pressure to hold the drugs and feared repercussions if he named their owners. Garda Griffin agreed with defence counsel Michael Bowman that Murphy was more likely to have been holding the drugs for others.

Judge Pauline Codd said Murphy was amenable to rehabilitation, but the value of the drugs made a prison term necessary. She noted his remorse and shame and said she had particular regard to his age when suspending part of the sentence.