Courts / Dublin / Report
Former pub owner jailed for involvement in €1.4m drugs operation
Summary
John Fitzgerald SC defended Emmet Fogarty, 47, a former pub owner who had been drawn into an almost €1.4 million drugs operation to offset gambling debts. Fogarty had been unaware of cheques written against his pub, leading to tax trouble and an alcohol and gambling addiction. After spending time abroad, he returned to Ireland and joined the drug enterprise. He pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine, cannabis herb and resin worth €1,398,714, as well as various ammunition. Garda Ivor Scully found 15 blocks of cocaine, cannabis herb, resin, ten firearm magazines, ammunition and tracking devices at a lock‑up unit leased by Fogarty. Fogarty's home address was linked to the premises via receipt, DNA and fingerprints. Judge Melanie Greally, considering Fogarty's circumstances, imposed a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the final two‑and‑a‑half years. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the drug offence and the firearms offence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former pub owner jailed for involvement in €1.4m drugs operation. Charges or matters: possessing cocaine, cannabis herb and cannabis resin worth a total €1,398,714 at a lock-up unit at Mount Dillon Business Park, Malahide Road, Dublin 5, on March 31, 2017; unlawful possession of .44 Remington caliber ammunition, Magnum caliber ammunition and .22 LR caliber ammunition at the same location and on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 31, 2017 Incident
- 2018-11-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing cocaine, cannabis herb and cannabis resin worth a total €1,398,714 at a lock-up unit at Mount Dillon Business Park, Malahide Road, Dublin 5, on March 31, 2017; unlawful possession of .44 Remington caliber ammunition, Magnum caliber ammunition and .22 LR caliber ammunition at the same location and on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a seven and a half year sentence with the final two and a half suspended for that period, taking into account Fogarty's personal circumstances and difficult background.
Places mentioned
- Brookhaven Drive
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mount Dillon Business Park
- Malahide Road
Topics
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