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State withdraws ecstasy possession charges against Dublin man after Court of Appeal ruling
Summary
Phillip Farrell, 35, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin, was charged with possession of heroin worth €23,000 and cannabis resin worth €732, for which he pleaded guilty in December 2013 and February 2014. He also faced charges of unlawful possession of ecstasy, estimated at just over €200, but the State withdrew those charges following a Court of Appeal ruling that temporarily legalised possession of the drug. Farrell had not entered pleas to the ecstasy counts, which were considered at sentencing. He claimed he was holding the drugs to clear a €30,000 debt and expressed fear for his life, a claim the court accepted as evidence of duress. The case was adjourned to May for sentencing, with 31 prior convictions noted. The article does not state the final sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: State withdraws ecstasy possession charges against Dublin man after Court of Appeal ruling. Charges or matters: possession of heroin for sale or supply on December 3, 2013 and February 2, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 3, 2013 Incident
- February 2, 2014 Incident
- 2015-03-11 Publication
Why: The hearing heard that Farrell told gardaí that he owed a debt of €30,000 because he had "messed up in relation to something else" and he said he was in fear for his life. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possession of heroin for sale or supply on December 3, 2013 and February 2, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The man still faces sentence for possession of €23,000 amount of heroin which he claimed he was holding to clear a €30,000 debt.; He adjourned the case to May for sentence.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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