Courts / Cork / Report
Main heroin dealer has sentence reduced after court hears of cancer diagnosis
Summary
John O'Leary, 52, of Churchfield Garden, Cork, was convicted in December 2020 of possession of heroin for sale or supply at his former address on Knapp's Square, Redmond Street. Gardaí found about €22,000 worth of heroin, a €1,665 sum and electronic scales at his home while he was lying in bed. He received a nine‑year sentence in June 2021, with the final two years suspended and a three‑year probation order. In October 2022 the Court of Appeal heard that O'Leary is seriously ill with cancer and that he had never before appeared in the Circuit Court, though he had a prior sale or supply conviction at district level. The appeal argued the headline sentence of 12 years was too harsh. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and re‑sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, suspending the final year for two years, citing his serious illness and personal circumstances. John O'Leary pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Main heroin dealer has sentence reduced after court hears of cancer diagnosis. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his then address at Knapp's Square, Redmond Street, Cork in December 2020; possession of diamorphine contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act on June 16, 2021. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 2020 Incident
- June 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 16, 2021 Incident
- 2022-10-18 Publication
Why: People are in graveyards because of his actions. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his then address at Knapp's Square, Redmond Street, Cork in December 2020; possession of diamorphine contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act on June 16, 2021 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He then sentenced O'Leary to seven years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for two years, noting O'Leary's "seriously ill health" and personal circumstances. When being sentenced, Judge O'Callaghan said of O'Leary: "He and his colleagues are responsible for destroying the lives of people and their families in Cork.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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