Courts / Dublin / Report
Dad who moved drugs to pay off son's debt is jailed
Summary
John Fearon, 55, of Ballymun, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after entering signed guilty pleas to charges of having cannabis valued at €159,438 for sale or supply in a vehicle on March 15, 2021. Fearon alleged he transported the drugs to settle a €6,000 drug debt incurred by his son, claiming he was threatened that his son would be harmed if the debt was not paid. He admitted to Gardaí that he collected the drugs for delivery to a chipper and acknowledged a small amount of cannabis found in his home, which he stated was for personal use. Prosecution evidence indicated he was stopped following a tip-off and had €1,020 in cash, which Gardaí accepted was not proceeds of crime. Defense counsel highlighted Fearon's 20-year record of no further convictions, his remorse, and his rehabilitation from previous substance abuse. Judge Melanie Greally set a headline sentence of six years, reducing it based on his early guilty pleas and favorable probation report. The court imposed a sentence of three years, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions, including engaging with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release from prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dad who moved drugs to pay off son's debt is jailed. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 15, 2021 Incident
- 2022-03-21 Publication
Why: A man who said he had agreed to transport almost €160,000 worth of cannabis in order to pay off his son's drug debt has been jailed for two years. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Outcome: Judge Greally imposed a sentence of three years but suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions including that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months upon his release from prison.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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