Courts / Dublin / Report

Dad-of-three agreed to collect €300k after running up cocaine debt

Summary

Mark Connolly, 44, a father of three, was sentenced to five years in prison, with two-and-a-half years suspended, after pleading guilty to possessing €311,000 that he believed was the proceeds of drug dealing. He admitted to collecting the cash to pay off a €4,000 cocaine debt, having been paid €300 for each of six runs. Gardaí found €291,790 hidden behind a panel in a wardrobe in a rented Dublin apartment, plus an additional €19,950 in a rucksack. Connolly had been given keys, a phone and instructions on where and when to collect the money. He acknowledged the money likely came from drugs, but claimed he had not transported drugs himself. The court noted his cooperation, guilty plea, financial pressure and low risk of re‑offending, and gave him credit for his post‑arrest conduct and counselling. The sentence was imposed by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dad-of-three agreed to collect €300k after running up cocaine debt. Charges or matters: possessing €311,000, while knowing or believing it was the proceeds of crime at Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, on May 4, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 4, 2017 Incident
• 2019-02-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report