Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for "well respected" inner city man caught with cutting agent

Date
2016-10-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Noel Fitzgerald, 48, of St Michans House, Greek Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of benzocaine, a cutting agent sometimes used with cocaine, on 22 April 2015. Gardaí seized 60 kg of benzocaine valued at €30 000, along with caffeine and paracetamol, after following a transit van and a car at Greek Street. Fitzgerald admitted he knew the substance was not above board but claimed he was doing a favour for someone else and did not answer further questions. He has two minor prior convictions. Judge Melanie Greally, noting Fitzgerald's respected community role and personal tragedies, imposed a three‑year sentence suspended in full for five years, warning that any future involvement with unsavoury elements would trigger the full term. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for "well respected" inner city man caught with cutting agent. Charges or matters: possession of benzocaine in circumstances which gave rise to the reasonable inference that it was for a purpose connected to a drug trafficking offence on April 22, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 22, 2015 Incident
2010 to 2012 Other
2016-10-20 Publication

Case subjects

Noel Fitzgerald

Defendant

Charges: possession of benzocaine in circumstances which gave rise to the reasonable inference that it was for a purpose connected to a drug trafficking offence on April 22, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally imposed a three year sentence which she suspended in full for five years but warned Fitzgerald if he came before the court again with any hint of involvement with unsavoury elements with in the community he would serve the entire sentence.