Courts / Dublin / Report
Less than 10 years for man caught with €4m in drugs
Summary
Darren Cusack, 47, of Crumlin, Dublin, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply and possession of three stun guns at Ballyfermot Drive on July 17, 2017. Prosecutors alleged he was part of a large-scale drug distribution hub where 188kg of cannabis and 2.9kg of cocaine were found. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while Cusack admitted to carrying boxes into the garage, evidence indicated he did not own the drugs or act as the chief organiser. The judge considered the Court of Criminal Appeal's recent decision to increase co-accused Stephen Sarsfield's sentence from seven to ten years for undue leniency, distinguishing Cusack's role as less significant because Sarsfield possessed the truck keys. A third co-accused, Mark O'Dwyer, was sentenced to five years in May 2018, with his case also subject to a Court of Criminal Appeal review on grounds of undue leniency. Cusack's defence highlighted his role as a father to an autistic child, but the court imposed the custodial sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Less than 10 years for man caught with €4m in drugs. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Ballyfermot Drive, Ballyfermot on July 17, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 17, 2017 Incident
- April 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Ballyfermot Drive, Ballyfermot on July 17, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Appellant
Outcome: Mark O'Dwyer (44) of Emmet Buildings, Watling Street, Dublin, was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Nolan in May 2018.
Appellant
Outcome: Stephen Sarsfield (39) of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8, was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Martin Nolan in April 2018. His case was brought to the Court of Criminal Appeal on the basis of undue leniency and the sentenced was increased to ten years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Ballyfermot Drive
Topics
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