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'Battle is lost' if people engage with drug dealers out of fear: judge

Summary

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case of former soldier John McElroy, 60, who was found with 1.1 kg of cocaine worth €70,840 in his car in Cabra, Dublin, on 25 January 2020. McElroy, who had a clean record and was on disability benefit after a cancer diagnosis, claimed he had only accepted the package an hour earlier to pay €200 toward his son's €50,000 drug debt. He pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply. At the sentencing hearing, defence solicitor Dominic McGinn argued the case was exceptional due to McElroy's health and his son's situation, questioning the public interest in incarceration. Judge Greally warned that engaging with drug dealers out of fear is not the answer, and said the matter would be finalised on 19 March 2021. The court noted McElroy had no prior involvement in the drug scene and that the incident was a one‑off attempt to help his son.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Battle is lost' if people engage with drug dealers out of fear: judge. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• January 25 Incident
• March 19, 2021 Adjournment
• 1976 and 1991 Other
• new year Other
• 2020-06-25 Publication

Why: The father-of-seven told gardaí he had only accepted the package an hour earlier and that he was holding it in order to pay €200 off his son's €50,000 drug debt. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report