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Homeless charity set up by drug dealer who had fled to US, court hears
Summary
Stephen Winders, 41, was arrested in Ireland after returning from the United States, where he had fled following a 2010 drug‑dealing conviction. He was found with 19 cannabis plants and a plastic bag of heroin worth €1,668, which he claimed were for personal use. Winders had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and heroin for sale or supply in October 2010 and had been on bail when he fled. While in the U.S., he reportedly worked as a television cameraman and completed an intensive treatment programme. He returned to Ireland to establish a homelessness charity, Progress Homelessness, and sought garda clearance to register it. Gardaí discovered outstanding warrants and arrested him at the station. Judge Catherine Murphy adjourned the case to March 20, 2017, and indicated she might consider a suspended sentence if a clean probation report and drug tests were presented. The case remains pending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Homeless charity set up by drug dealer who had fled to US, court hears. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis and heroin for sale or supply at his home on October 14, 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 14, 2010 Incident
- March 20, 2017 Adjournment
- 2016-12-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis and heroin for sale or supply at his home on October 14, 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Le Vert said he was "very much hoping" Judge Murphy would not impose a custodial sentence given Winders charity work. "Your usual powerful words have great persuasion indeed," judge Murphy said. "Unfortunately I still think a custodial sentence is deserved." However, she agreed to give Winders a chance and adjourned the matter until March 20, 2017. She said that she would consider a suspended sentence if there was an unblemished probation services report in court including clean drug tests.; Mr Le Vert said he was "very much hoping" Judge Murphy would not impose a custodial sentence given Winders charity work. "Your usual powerful words have great persuasion indeed," judge Murphy said. "Unfortunately I still think a custodial sentence is deserved." However, she agreed to give Winders a chance and adjourned the matter until March 20, 2017.
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