Courts / Kildare / Report
"Long history of involvement in drug trafficking" sinks dealer's sentence appeal
Summary
Gareth Prior, 36, of Ramblers Court, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for his role in a heroin transaction worth an estimated €560,000. He had pleaded guilty in December 2015 to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against the severity of the sentence, citing the need to protect society from drug trafficking. Prior was observed by Gardaí travelling to an Aldi supermarket on Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, where he was seen placing a rucksack in a car. Gardaí seized four packages containing four kilograms of heroin, and a search of his Newbridge address uncovered 2.5 kg of cocaine, 487 g of cannabis and 56 g of ketamine. He had 17 prior convictions, including seven for drug offences, and was found in possession of drug paraphernalia.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Long history of involvement in drug trafficking" sinks dealer's sentence appeal. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply in December, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 7, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-07-17 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply in December, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Prior, who told gardaí he knew he was going to pick up drugs but did not realise it was going to be heroin, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Patricia Ryan on April 7, 2017.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Fonthill Road
Topics
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