Courts / Dublin / Report
Child (3) was with father when drugs were handed over
Summary
Judge Melanie Greally sentenced three defendants at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in a drug operation on October 10, 2015. Graham O'Toole and Alan Dowling pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply, while Tara Kennedy pleaded guilty to allowing her home to be used for the sale, supply, or distribution of 17.37 kilogrammes of cannabis valued at €347,400. The court accepted that O'Toole was responsible for drugs valued at €1,158,600 found in his home, and Dowling for drugs valued at €854,000 found in his vehicle. Judge Greally imposed a nine-year sentence on O'Toole, suspending the final four years. She rejected a defense application for him to begin his sentence after Christmas. For Dowling, the judge imposed a seven-year sentence, suspending the final two years. Kennedy received a four-year sentence, which was suspended in full due to exceptional circumstances regarding the care of her three-year-old son. The judge noted O'Toole's disadvantaged background and Dowling's remorse, while acknowledging Kennedy's lack of previous convictions and her role as a mother. All three defendants were convicted based on their guilty pleas.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child (3) was with father when drugs were handed over. 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:
- October 10, 2015 Incident
- Christmas Incident
- 2016-11-25 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
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: Judge Greally imposed a seven year sentence on Dowling and suspended the final two years.
Convicted Person
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: At a hearing earlier this month the court heard a probation report prepared on Kennedy had outlined that she was particularly distressed about what would happen to her son if both she and her partner, O'Toole, were jailed. She imposed a nine year sentence on O'Toole but suspended the final four years.
Convicted Person
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: At a hearing earlier this month the court heard a probation report prepared on Kennedy had outlined that she was particularly distressed about what would happen to her son if both she and her partner, O'Toole, were jailed. She imposed a four year sentence on Kennedy but in view of the exceptional circumstances relating to care of her child she suspended Kennedy's sentence in full.
Places mentioned
- Drumalee Park
- North Circular Road
- Ballyfermot Drive
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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