Courts / Dublin / Report

"Pitiful" and "isolated" man caught with Kinder Egg of ketamine is jailed

Date
2018-02-09
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Steven McDonnell, 52, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing over €13,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at his Blessington Street address. The court also considered counts of possession of cannabis, cannabis resin and ketamine. A search warrant, executed after days of surveillance, uncovered a large slab of cocaine, cannabis, cannabis resin and a chocolate Kinder Egg containing ketamine, with the total drug value at €94,166. McDonnell admitted he had accrued about €5,000 in gambling debts and was coerced into holding the drugs, receiving €500 each time he delivered them to a dealer. He also admitted smoking about €50 of cannabis every few days. McDonnell had no prior convictions. The judge noted he had been coerced but ultimately chose to accept the drugs, describing him as a "pitiful" and isolated man who had suffered severe depression and attempted suicide. The sentence was imposed by Judge Martin Nolan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Pitiful" and "isolated" man caught with Kinder Egg of ketamine is jailed. Charges or matters: one count of possessing cocaine over the value of €13,000 for sale or supply at his address in Blessington Street, Dublin, on November 2, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Kinder Egg

Convicted Person

Charges: one count of possessing cocaine over the value of €13,000 for sale or supply at his address in Blessington Street, Dublin, on November 2, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Kinder Egg containing ketamine, has been jailed for three years.

Steven McDonnell

Defendant

Charges: one count of possessing cocaine over the value of €13,000 for sale or supply at his address in Blessington Street, Dublin, on November 2, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Blessington Street

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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