Courts / Dublin / Report

Firemen uncovered cannabis grow-house behind beautician's wardrobe

Summary

Firemen searching for a fire at Passion Tanning & Beauty in Tallaght discovered a concealed cannabis grow‑house behind a false partition in a beautician's wardrobe. The grow‑house contained 39 mature cannabis plants valued at €31,200 and several smaller plants destroyed by the fire. Elwira Syfert, 40, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis at the premises on 22 January 2017. In an interview she said a man had offered her €400 a month to use the concealed space, initially unaware of its purpose, and later threatened her with violence if she reported the activity. She claimed the man demanded she water and feed the plants. Defence counsel argued she had only performed watering duties. The court found Syfert under pressure and sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Firemen uncovered cannabis grow-house behind beautician's wardrobe. Charges or matters: cultivation of cannabis at Passion Tanning & Beauty, Westpark Gate, Tallaght, on January 22, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 22, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-11-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report