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Dublin man gets five years in jail for possessing €500,000 worth of heroin

Summary

Keith O'Brien, 37, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan after pleading guilty to possessing 3.5 kg of heroin worth €532,339. O'Brien had previously agreed to hold €8,000 worth of drugs for "serious criminals" after losing his job, but the drugs were destroyed by damp. Garda Patrick McAvinue testified that O'Brien was seen placing a shopping bag behind the driver's seat of a Volkswagen, and a search of his home uncovered €498,000 worth of heroin. O'Brien claimed he was coerced by higher‑level offenders and had no financial gain from the operation. He was described as a family man who had been assaulted and pressured into the role. The court accepted his full admissions and cooperation with the investigation. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances surrounding his involvement.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin man gets five years in jail for possessing €500,000 worth of heroin. Charges or matters: having almost 3.5 kilogrammes of heroin with a total street value of €532,339 on October 2, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 2, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-03-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report