Courts / Dublin / Report

Pandemic pressures led man to courier heroin

Summary

John Saul, aged 37 and also known as John Keegan, was found in possession of a bag of heroin while attempting to deliver it. He was stopped by Gardaí, who discovered the drugs in his underwear and seized them. Saul pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply at a location within Dublin on 8 November 2020. He has 15 prior convictions, the most recent dating back to 2010, including drug offences, assault, burglary and theft. The judge, Melanie Greally, noted that Saul's involvement in the offence was a "very serious error" and that it coincided with financial hardship caused by pandemic pressures on his family. She acknowledged that he had made some progress in his life and therefore suspended an 18‑month prison sentence in its entirety, imposing strict conditions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pandemic pressures led man to courier heroin. Charges or matters: possession of heroin for sale or supply at a location within Dublin on November 8, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 8, 2020 Incident
• 2021-11-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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