Courts / Dublin / Report

Trio to be sentenced over €2m drugs bust

Date
2016-11-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a €2 million drug bust, Tara Kennedy (22) and her partner Graham O'Toole (24) were charged with possession of drugs for sale or supply. Kennedy's son, aged three, was present when Gardaí raided their home, finding €1,158,600 worth of cannabis, cocaine and heroin. O'Toole had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and received a four‑year sentence with the final two years suspended. Alan Dowling (46), who acted as a courier, was also charged and pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply. All three accused will be sentenced on 25 November. The court heard that Kennedy had spent much of her life in care and was genuinely remorseful, while O'Toole had a moderate risk of re‑offending and had attended rehabilitation programmes. Dowling had 16 prior traffic convictions and had cooperated with Gardaí from the outset. The case highlights the involvement of a young child in a serious drug offence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trio to be sentenced over €2m drugs bust. Charges or matters: possession of drugs for sale or supply on October 10, 2015; allowing her home to be used for the sale, supply or distribution of the 17.37 kilogrammes of cannabis, valued at €347,400; aggravated burglary of his father's home. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 25 Incident
October 10, 2015 Incident
October 2012 Incident
Christmas Incident
2016-11-14 Publication

Case subjects

Alan Dowling

Co Accused

Charges: possession of drugs for sale or supply on October 10, 2015; allowing her home to be used for the sale, supply or distribution of the 17.37 kilogrammes of cannabis, valued at €347,400; aggravated burglary of his father's home (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Kennedy, O'Toole and Dowling will all be sentenced on November 25 next.; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case to allow for various reports to be completed on behalf of each of the accused.

Graham O'Toole

Accused

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Kennedy, O'Toole and Dowling will all be sentenced on November 25 next. O'Toole received a four year sentence with the final two years suspended in October 2012 after he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary of his father's home.; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case to allow for various reports to be completed on behalf of each of the accused.

Tara Kennedy

Accused

Plea: Guilty