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Suspended sentence for man who told gardai he found over €20k in cannabis on a wall
Summary
Thomas O'Donnell, 22, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at his home on 8 June 2012. Garda Michael Noone reported that 3.34 kg of cannabis was found in a holdall in a converted shed at the back of the house, with a smaller amount in O'Donnell's bedroom. O'Donnell claimed he had discovered the drugs on a wall two weeks earlier and left them in his brother's room, insisting he owed no money and had no drug debt. The drugs were later valued at €20,552.88. Defending counsel Luigi Rea argued that O'Donnell's brother had no involvement and that O'Donnell had agreed to hold the drugs as a weekly allowance for his own use. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a three‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, noting that O'Donnell had no prior convictions and was not charged with a more serious offence. If he reoffends within three years, he will face prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who told gardai he found over €20k in cannabis on a wall. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on June 8, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 8, 2012 Incident
- 2014-11-18 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on June 8, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She suspended the three-year sentence on strict conditions. "If you come before me again in the next three years you will find that your luck has run out and you will go to prison," Judge Ring told O'Donnell.
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