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Suspended sentence for "hard working" tradesman caught with drugs after over-filling car with diesel

Summary

Christopher O'Toole, 39, was arrested after Gardaí discovered over €26,000 worth of drugs in his van following an accidental over‑fill of diesel at a petrol station. Garda Stephen Hughes reported finding a trail of white substance leading to a radio, where a large bag of white powder and a cannabis resin bar were located. The powder was identified as the controlled drug PVP. Additional PVP was found in the engine bay and a black laptop bag, with a total street value of €26,000, and cannabis valued at €1,476. O'Toole pleaded guilty to possession of over €13,000 worth of a controlled substance for sale or supply. He has 31 prior convictions, including drug dealing and possession. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a five‑year suspended sentence, conditional on O'Toole keeping the peace, maintaining good behaviour for four years, and remaining under Probation Supervision for 12 months. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for "hard working" tradesman caught with drugs after over-filling car with diesel. Charges or matters: possession of over €13,000 worth of a controlled substance for sale or supply at Swords on June 4, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 4, 2012 Adjournment
• 2014-11-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report