Courts / Dublin / Report
Prisoner brought drugs into Mountjoy after threats to brother
Summary
Gareth Carroll, 36, was jailed for one year after he brought heroin, Valium and Xanax into Mountjoy Prison on a temporary release. He was told by inmates that if he refused, his brother's leg would be broken. Carroll returned to the prison and officers found drug paraphernalia in his cell; the drugs fell out of his underwear when he was searched. He pleaded guilty to possession of €1,497 of heroin, €768 of diazepam and €286 of alprazolam on 10 May 2015 while serving a drug offence sentence. Both he and his brother were in Mountjoy at the time. The court noted Carroll's long history of drug abuse and the credible threat to his brother. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final 12 months, and highlighted the seriousness of bringing drugs into prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Prisoner brought drugs into Mountjoy after threats to brother. Charges or matters: possession of €1,497 of heroin, €768 worth of diazepam and €286 of alprazolam on May 10, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 10, 2015 Incident
- 2018-02-23 Publication
Why: Counsel told Judge Melanie Greally that there had been a "significant glimmer of hope recently" because Carroll was now committed to a new relationship and was free from drugs for the first time. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of €1,497 of heroin, €768 worth of diazepam and €286 of alprazolam on May 10, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Garda Barry Brennan told Dara Hayes BL, prosecuting, that both Carroll and his brother were serving sentences in Mountjoy when Carroll agreed to bring the drugs into the prison. She handed down a two-year sentence and suspended the final 12 months.
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