Courts / Dublin / Report

Dad of five smuggled drugs to pay for Disneyland trip

Date
2020-05-15

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Anthony McGurk, a 29‑year‑old father of five, was found to have smuggled nearly €60,000 worth of MDMA crystal powder into Ireland after a panic attack at Dublin Airport. He had just returned from a flight from Amsterdam, where he had purchased the drugs with the intention of selling them in Belfast. McGurk initially denied ownership, claiming the drugs were planted, but later confessed to buying them and to possessing them for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession for sale or supply. The court, noting his lack of prior convictions, his work as a chef, and his mental health difficulties, sentenced him to two and a half years in prison. He is currently working in the prison kitchen. The case highlighted his strained relationships and the impact on his family's housing situation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dad of five smuggled drugs to pay for Disneyland trip. Charges or matters: one count of possessing the drug for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on November 25 last year. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

November 25 Incident
Christmas Other
2020-05-15 Publication

Why: A father of five with no ties to criminality smuggled nearly €60,000 worth of drugs into the country because he wanted to bring his kids to Disneyland, a court has heard. CNI source report