Courts / Cork / Report

Student who bought drugs over dark web may be discharged

Date
2021-12-09
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Ballincollig
County
Cork

Summary

Harry O'Brien, 22, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the importation of cannabis and possession of cannabis and Ketamine for sale or supply at Trinity Halls, Rathmines, on March 13, 2019. Judge Melanie Greally set an indicative sentence of 16 months imprisonment but deferred its imposition under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court ordered O'Brien to pay a €500 fine, complete three months of voluntary work for St Vincent de Paul, and keep the peace and be of good behaviour during the adjourned period. If these conditions are met, the judge stated she would discharge him from the indictment. The matter was adjourned to March 21, 2022. O'Brien, who has no previous convictions, admitted to purchasing the drugs via the dark web for personal use, denying he was a dealer. The court noted his mental state was precarious at the time of the offence but acknowledged his subsequent academic success and founding of a disabled students' advocacy group.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Student who bought drugs over dark web may be discharged. Charges or matters: the importation of cannabis at Trinity Halls, Dartry Road, Rathmines, on March 13, 2019; possession of cannabis and Ketamine for sale or supply at the same address on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Harry O'Brien

Accused

Charges: the importation of cannabis at Trinity Halls, Dartry Road, Rathmines, on March 13, 2019; possession of cannabis and Ketamine for sale or supply at the same address on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally set an indicative sentence of 16 months imprisonment but said she would defer the imposition on condition that O'Brien pay a €500 fine, carry out voluntary work for St Vincent de Paul for three months and keep the peace and be of good behaviour during the adjourned period.; Judge Greally set an indicative sentence of 16 months imprisonment but said she would defer the imposition on condition that O'Brien pay a €500 fine, carry out voluntary work for St Vincent de Paul for three months and keep the peace and be of good behaviour during the adjourned period.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Dartry Road

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

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