Courts / Dublin / Report

Ambulance called to court after judge jails heroin courier

Date
2016-10-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 12 October 2016, Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Karl Brennan, 36, to six years' imprisonment for transporting €400,000 worth of heroin in his car while his one‑year‑old daughter was present. Brennan pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs at Tower Road, Clondalkin, on 10 December 2015. The judge imposed a six‑year term, suspending the final two years on strict conditions. Brennan, who has a heart condition and had previously worked for Coca Cola, was described by his family as a caring father. He admitted he had acted as a drug courier to earn money for Christmas. Garda surveillance had tracked his movements, revealing the heroin concealed in the door panel of his Nissan Micra. No prior convictions were recorded, and the person who had deposited the drugs was not apprehended. The court heard that Brennan cooperated fully with Gardaí and that he had no intention to re‑offend.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ambulance called to court after judge jails heroin courier. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs at Tower Road, Clondalkin on December 10, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 10, 2015 Incident
Christmas Other
2016-10-12 Publication

Why: Brennan, described by his family as a caring and responsible father, told gardai he had acted as a drug courier in order to make money for Christmas. CNI source report

Case subjects

Karl Brennan

Defendant

Charges: possession of the drugs at Tower Road, Clondalkin on December 10, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Karl Brennan (36), who has a heart condition, appeared to be in distress after the sentence was imposed by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and an ambulance was called. She imposed a six year sentence and suspended the final two years on strict conditions.