Courts / Meath / Report

Case of man jailed for possession of €4 million worth of cannabis raises "important question", appeal court finds

Date
2014-11-11
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Clonee
County
Meath

Summary

Stephen Geraghty, aged 50, was sentenced in 2011 to 12 years' imprisonment for possession of over €4 million worth of cannabis and €350 000 worth of cocaine. In 2014 the Court of Appeal reserved judgment on an issue concerning the Misuse of Drugs Act as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2007. The question was whether a person could be convicted of a second offence under the Act when no prior conviction under the Act existed. Geraghty had not been convicted of the first offence and was on bail when the second offence was committed. He had absented himself from jurisdiction in September 2004, turned himself in in 2009, and was arraigned on both charges on 2 February 2010, pleading guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Case of man jailed for possession of €4 million worth of cannabis raises "important question", appeal court finds. Charges or matters: both and would have received his conviction for both on the date of his arraignment, Ms Justice Mary Finlay-Geoghegan stated. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Stephen Geraghty

Background Person

Charges: both and would have received his conviction for both on the date of his arraignment, Ms Justice Mary Finlay-Geoghegan stated (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Stephen Geraghty (50) of Neilstown Drive, Clondalkin, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 2011 for possession of cannabis, worth over €4,000,000 for sale or supply at Nutstown, Clonee on November 27, 2003 and possession of €350,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply in Lucan on May 30, 2004.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
  • Neilstown Drive
Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

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