Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentences for "preyed upon" drug mules
Summary
Two men, Dubliners Derek Naylor (46) and Paul Goddard (57), were sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following their guilty pleas to possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016. Both defendants admitted their charges and were found guilty. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced both men to four years but suspended each of their sentences. Goddard also admitted possession of amphetamine and cannabis at his home on the same date. Naylor, a taxi driver with no previous convictions, and Goddard, who has four previous convictions for minor road traffic offences, were described by the judge as being at the lowest end of the ladder in the drugs industry. The judge noted that Goddard's involvement was an act of desperation due to threats to a family member, while Naylor became involved due to a drug debt. The court ordered that Naylor continue his mentorship role at the Coolmine therapeutic community programme, and that Goddard engage with the Probations Service on offence-focused work. The matter was adjourned following the sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentences for "preyed upon" drug mules. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 24, 2016 Incident
- 2018-01-23 Publication
Why: He told gardaí he became involved in the offence because he owed money for a drug debt. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced both men to four years but suspended each of their sentences.
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced both men to four years but suspended each of their sentences.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request