Courts / Dublin / Report
Stardust survivor jailed over €1m cannabis bust
Summary
Brian Kelly, aged 60 and a survivor of the Stardust fire, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to transporting €159,922 worth of cannabis in his van on 12 March 2020. He claimed he was acting to help his nephew, who owed €30,000 in drug debt, and believed the nephew was in personal danger. Gardaí had surveillance of Kelly's van at Vernon Loughran's house, where they seized a large brown box containing eight vacuum‑packed packages and two mobile phones, one a burner phone. Loughran, aged 59, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and cocaine worth €840,000 after a search of his home. He was sentenced to six years in prison, with the final twelve months suspended. Both defendants had no prior convictions and showed remorse, factors considered by Judge Melanie Greally in determining their sentences. The court noted Kelly's family circumstances, his role in animal welfare, and his recovery from drug addiction.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Stardust survivor jailed over €1m cannabis bust. Charges or matters: having cannabis worth €159k in a van that he was driving on March 12, 2020; possessing cannabis and cocaine worth €840k after gardaí carried out a search of his home later that day. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 12, 2020 Incident
- 2022-11-02 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: having cannabis worth €159k in a van that he was driving on March 12, 2020; possessing cannabis and cocaine worth €840k after gardaí carried out a search of his home later that day (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced Kelly to 30 months in prison.
Co Accused
Charges: possessing cannabis and cocaine worth €840k after gardaí carried out a search of his home later that day (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Greally sentenced Loughran to six years in prison with the final twelve months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal court
- Loughran's house
- and brought to Tallaght Garda Station
- Tallaght
Topics
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