Courts / Dublin / Report

Drug-dealing pensioner rumbled while walking dog

Summary

Patrick Duff, a 69‑year‑old pensioner, was caught selling zopiclone and alprazolam tablets while walking his dog along the Royal Canal in Dublin 3. Gardaí observed him talking to two people who fled when officers arrived, and later found Duff rummaging in bushes for his stash, which he kept in two black socks. A search of his flat revealed more tablets. The drugs seized had a street value of €5,200. Duff pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing drugs for sale or supply at the canal and at his home on 21 January 2020. He had a prior conviction for a similar offence in May 2020. In June, a judge imposed a suspended two‑year sentence for the second offence, with the value of drugs then just under €10,000. Duff has no other convictions and now stays at home, no longer walking his dog.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drug-dealing pensioner rumbled while walking dog. Charges or matters: four counts of possessing the drugs for sale or supply at the canal and at his home address in North William St, Dublin 1, on January 21, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 21, 2020 Incident
• May 2020 Incident
• 2021-11-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report