Courts / Dublin / Report
Former Keogh's Crisps director grew cannabis in 'gardening experiment'
Summary
Anthony Keogh, 64, a former director of Keogh's Crisps and a farmer, admitted to growing 39 cannabis plants in his greenhouse without a licence, claiming it was a "gardening experiment" to explore medicinal benefits. The plants, valued at €7,800, were seized during a Garda search on 9 July 2020 after a suspected grow house was identified. Keogh, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession and cultivation of cannabis. The court noted the plants were mostly seedlings and unlikely to enter drug circulation. Judge Melanie Greally described the case as unusual, proposed an eight‑month imprisonment sentence but deferred it to 4 October, requiring Keogh to post a bond, maintain good behaviour, and contribute €200 to the Father Peter McVerry Trust. If these conditions are met, she will discharge him under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former Keogh's Crisps director grew cannabis in 'gardening experiment'. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 9, 2020 Incident
- October 4 Adjournment
- 2021-07-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Clarke said this was a "very unusual set of circumstances" and asked the court to "go further" than simply not imposing a custodial sentence in this case.; Judge Greally said she will require Keogh to enter into a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the adjourned period and to make a contribution of €200 to the Father Peter McVerry Trust.
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