Courts / Dublin / Report

Court upholds sentencing of single mum caught with €450k in cannabis

Date
2019-01-25
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Antonia McGrath, a 26‑year‑old single mother from Clondalkin, was found in possession of over €450,000 worth of cannabis and was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on 30 April 2018. The sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal on 25 January 2019. McGrath admitted she had agreed to hold the drugs for sale or supply both at her home and in the vehicle of co‑accused Keith Tiswell, who was also convicted and jailed for the same period. McGrath's apartment had been under surveillance after a Garda tip‑off; CCTV showed her handing the drugs to Tiswell. She claimed she feared for her life and that of her son and gave no further information. The Court of Appeal found no error in the original sentencing and dismissed her appeal. Antonia McGrath pleaded guilty. Keith Tiswell pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court upholds sentencing of single mum caught with €450k in cannabis. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply both at her home and in the vehicle of a co-accused on May 25, 2017; possessing under 6kg of cannabis herb worth €119,600 and 67.5g of cocaine valued at €4,725 in his car on the M50 northbound near Clondalkin on May 25, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: She did not give gardaí any further information because she said she was in fear for her own life and that of her son. CNI source report

Case subjects

Antonia McGrath

Appellant

Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply both at her home and in the vehicle of a co-accused on May 25, 2017; possessing under 6kg of cannabis herb worth €119,600 and 67.5g of cocaine valued at €4,725 in his car on the M50 northbound near Clondalkin on May 25, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Keith Tiswell

Defendant

Charges: possessing under 6kg of cannabis herb worth €119,600 and 67.5g of cocaine valued at €4,725 in his car on the M50 northbound near Clondalkin on May 25, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • Nangor Road
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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