Courts / Dublin / Report
Gardai discovered growhouse after investigating van crash
Summary
During an investigation of a crashed van on a laneway, Gardaí discovered a cannabis growhouse at a rented house on Heronford Lane, Rathmichael. The house, which had been rented three months earlier, contained 917 plants under artificial lights, valued at €733,600, with 501 plants ready for harvest worth €400,800. Harvested cannabis bagged for street sale was worth €29,960. The operation's electricity supply had been spliced. Steven Hudson, 39, the van driver and a low‑level participant, was arrested after returning to the site at 11 pm. He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply. The court sentenced him to four and a half years, suspending the final two years, and directed him to keep the peace for two years and engage with probation and addiction programmes. Hudson had 15 prior convictions and was described as not the mastermind or a man of means.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gardai discovered growhouse after investigating van crash. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at a rented house at Keelogues, Heronford Lane, Rathmichael on June 14, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 14, 2016 Incident
- 2017-10-20 Publication
Why: She said that normally an offence of this nature would warrant a heavier sentence, but that she was impressed by Hudson's rehabilitation off methadone and by the fact that his partner needed his support because they have a child with significant health challenges. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at a rented house at Keelogues, Heronford Lane, Rathmichael on June 14, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Steven Hudson (39), described as having a low level role within the sophisticated operation, received a four-and-a-half year sentence, with the final two years suspended. She said that normally an offence of this nature would warrant a heavier sentence, but that she was impressed by Hudson's rehabilitation off methadone and by the fact that his partner needed his support because they have a child with significant health challenges.
Places mentioned
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