Courts / Kildare / Report

Jail for Dubliner who held over €1m in drugs

Date
2016-11-29

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Straffan

County
Kildare

Summary

Patrick Purcell, 33, of Lucan, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine years' imprisonment for possession of drugs, with the final two years suspended. He pleaded guilty to possessing 18kg of ketamine, valued at €1,080,000, and 212g of cocaine for sale or supply at a rented premises in Straffan, Kildare, on June 4, 2015. He also admitted to possessing 2.2kg of ketamine, worth an estimated €103,123, at Maiden's Row, Chapelizod, on the same date. Co-accused Jordan Maher, 19, of Lucan, pleaded guilty to possessing the ketamine at Maiden's Row when spotted handling the package. Judge Melanie Greally noted Purcell's four previous convictions, including a prior suspended sentence for a drug offence. She accepted his genuine regret, cooperation with gardaí, and the submission of impressive testimonials. Purcell had claimed he was paid €500 to hold the drugs and used the storage unit for landscaping tools. The court acknowledged his role in storing and assisting with distribution, while noting his alcohol issues. The sentence reflects the severity of the offences and his criminal history, with the suspended portion contingent on good behaviour.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for Dubliner who held over €1m in drugs. Charges or matters: possession of 18kg of ketamine worth €1,080,000 and 212 grammes of cocaine for sale or supply at the premises he had been renting in Straffan, Kildare on June 4, 2015; possession of 2.2 kg of ketamine, worth an estimated €103,123 at Maiden's Row, Chapelizod on the same date; possession of the ketamine at Maidens Row when he was spotted handling the package. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 4, 2015 Incident
2016-11-29 Publication

Why: He said he had agreed to take the drugs because he had a €1,500 cocaine debt. CNI source report

Case subjects

Jordan Maher

Co Accused

Charges: possession of the ketamine at Maidens Row when he was spotted handling the package (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Patrick Purcell

Defendant

Charges: possession of 18kg of ketamine worth €1,080,000 and 212 grammes of cocaine for sale or supply at the premises he had been renting in Straffan, Kildare on June 4, 2015; possession of 2.2 kg of ketamine, worth an estimated €103,123 at Maiden's Row, Chapelizod on the same date; possession of the ketamine at Maidens Row when he was spotted handling the package (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty