Courts / Dublin / Report

Dad-of-five caught with €700k worth of drugs

Date
2020-10-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Darren King, a 34-year-old father of five from Ballyfermot, Dublin, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he confirmed signed pleas of guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply. The charges relate to incidents on April 23, 2019, at locations including Ballyfermot Road, Cole Park Road, and his home. Prosecution evidence alleged that gardaí intercepted King during a handover involving a bag containing five kilogrammes of cannabis valued at €102,000. Subsequent searches allegedly revealed a further 29kg of cannabis worth €590,000 and 209g of cocaine valued at €15,000 in a vehicle at his residence, along with cash. King made admissions to possessing the drugs for sale or supply. Detective Garda Val Russell noted that King previously received a suspended sentence for robbery but acknowledged his cooperation with the investigation and his claim that he began using drugs after a back injury. Judge Pauline Codd remanded King on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing to January 29. She ordered an updated probation report and urine analysis for that date. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dad-of-five caught with €700k worth of drugs. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 23, 2019 Adjournment
January 29 Adjournment
2020-10-27 Publication

Why: He refused to answer some questions put to him by gardaí because he said he was concerned for his own safety but he accepted that he owned the money. CNI source report

Case subjects

Darren King

Defendant

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Det Gda Russell confirmed that King previously received a suspended sentence for robbery.; Judge Pauline Codd remanded King on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing to January 29, next.