Courts / Dublin / Report
'Lowest of the low' jailed for holding drugs under duress
Summary
Derek O'Callaghan, aged 41, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for possessing drugs for sale or supply, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. He was found to be storing over €44,000 worth of cocaine and ecstasy in a bedroom in his uncle's house and over €29,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis in another home, his caravan and two cars during Garda searches in 2017 and 2018. The total street value of the drugs was €73,450. O'Callaghan pleaded guilty to two counts of possession for sale or supply, one at his Tallaght address in February 2017 and one at a Saggart address in June 2018. He has 12 previous convictions, including a drug‑supply offence in 2003, for which he received a suspended two‑year sentence. The judge noted his cooperation, vulnerability and efforts to rehabilitate, but said his level of involvement did not warrant a suspended sentence for the offence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Lowest of the low' jailed for holding drugs under duress. Charges or matters: one count of possessing drugs for sale or supply at the same address on February 23, 2017 and one count of possessing drugs for sale or supply at Round Garden, Garter Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin on June 7, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 23, 2017 Incident
- June 7, 2018 Incident
- 2017 and 2018 Other
- 2021-10-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of possessing drugs for sale or supply at the same address on February 23, 2017 and one count of possessing drugs for sale or supply at Round Garden, Garter Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin on June 7, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing him today, Judge Melanie Greally said O'Callaghan's level of involvement and the quantity of drugs found meant that he didn't come into the small category of cases which would warrant a suspended sentence for such an offence. Judge Greally sentenced O'Callaghan to four years in prison but suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions including that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months before his ultimate release from prison.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Garter Lane
Topics
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