Courts / Dublin / Report
Former soldier caught with €10k in heroin and cocaine
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former soldier Graham Hayes, aged 33, was given a fully suspended 32‑month prison sentence for possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply. Hayes was caught when Gardaí stopped him beside a silver car whose boot he had just opened, revealing €10,683 worth of drugs and a stun gun. He fled but was chased and apprehended. The judge noted that Hayes' role was limited to holding the drugs and that this was his first offence of this type. He had previously been discharged from the army after a positive random drug test and had built a drug debt of €20,000. The sentence was suspended on the condition that he keep the peace for the period and engage with drug intervention services. The court heard he had four prior convictions for road traffic offences. The case was prosecuted by Sinead McMullan BL and defended by Sarah‑Jane O'Callaghan BL. Graham Hayes pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former soldier caught with €10k in heroin and cocaine. Charges or matters: possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at Knockmore Green, Tallaght on January 28, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 28, 2019 Incident
- 2022-11-07 Publication
Why: Gda McLoughlin said when he opened the car door, Hayes ran away and he had to chase him in order to apprehend him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at Knockmore Green, Tallaght on January 28, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Melanie Greally noted the garda evidence that Hayes' role was limited to holding the drugs and that this was the first time he had become involved in this type of offending. Judge Greally suspended a sentence of 32 months on condition that Hayes keep the peace for that period and engage with drug intervention services.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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