Courts / Dublin / Report

Man's drug debts lead to "dirty work" for drugs hierarchy

Date
2016-12-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

Vincent Fox, 39, was sentenced to seven years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, after pleading guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis, heroin and diazepam for sale or supply, and the supply of a medical product, zopiclone, without prescription. The court found that Fox had accumulated a drug debt of €4,000 from smoking cannabis and used the sale of drugs to clear that debt. Garda investigations uncovered diazepam tablets worth €282,957, heroin and cannabis, and 284,872 zopiclone sleeping tablets valued at €569,744, along with paraphernalia such as bagging, labels, scales and a tick list. Fox claimed the drugs were for his own use and that he had been staying at a friend's house. The prosecution argued that Fox's drug debt made him a potential "dirty worker" for the drug hierarchy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man's drug debts lead to "dirty work" for drugs hierarchy. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis, heroin and diazepam for sale or supply and supply of a medical product, zopiclone, without prescription at a house in Blanchardstown on August 20, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 20, 2015 Incident
2016-12-08 Publication

Case subjects

Vincent Fox

Defendant

Charges: possession of cannabis, heroin and diazepam for sale or supply and supply of a medical product, zopiclone, without prescription at a house in Blanchardstown on August 20, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally imposed a seven year sentence and suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions.