Courts / Kildare / Report

Father-of-seven and student sentenced for their involvement in drug deal

Date
2015-02-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Leixlip

County
Kildare

Summary

Eddie Winston, a 60‑year‑old father of seven, and Lee Bracken Kennedy, a 21‑year‑old student, were sentenced for their roles in a large‑scale drug deal in Kildare. Winston met Kennedy at a Leixlip industrial estate to hand over nearly €20,000 worth of cannabis herb, but Gardaí intercepted them. A key found on Winston led to a lock‑up unit containing just under €180,000 of drugs, a gun and ammunition. Winston was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for possession of €176,325 worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis resin, and for possession of a 12‑gauge double‑barrel shotgun with 238 rounds. Kennedy received a three‑year suspended sentence and was bound to the peace for three years for unlawful possession of cannabis herb. Both pleaded guilty; Winston initially denied involvement but later admitted it. The judge noted their gross errors of judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father-of-seven and student sentenced for their involvement in drug deal. Charges or matters: possession of €176,325 worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis resin for sale or supply at a unit at Finglas Business Park on November 26, 2013; possession of a 12 gauge double barrel Larranaga shotgun and 238 rounds of ammunition at the same location; unlawful possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply at Ryebrook Business Park, Maynooth Road in Leixlip on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 26, 2013 Incident
Christmas Other
2015-02-17 Publication

Case subjects

Bracken Kennedy

Defendant

Charges: unlawful possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply at Ryebrook Business Park, Maynooth Road in Leixlip on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Eddie Winston

Convicted Person

Charges: possession of €176,325 worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis resin for sale or supply at a unit at Finglas Business Park on November 26, 2013; possession of a 12 gauge double barrel Larranaga shotgun and 238 rounds of ammunition at the same location (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Winston was sentenced to six years in prison while Bracken-Kennedy was given a three year suspended sentence and bound to the peace for three years.