Courts / Dublin / Report

Septuagenarian jailed for drugs offence after nearly 20 years on the run

Summary

Joseph Rogerson, aged 73, was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. The drugs were seized in June 2005 from his car on Rock Road, Blackrock, and from his house in Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, amounting to just over a kilo of cocaine and heroin worth €146,552. Rogerson had fled Ireland in 2006, taking a bench warrant, and lived in the Canary Islands until his voluntary return on 8 March 2023. He had 31 prior convictions, including 23 for larceny and several assault offences, but had not offended since 1987. The judge noted his age, his voluntary surrender, and cooperation with Gardaí, and backdated the sentence to the day of his return. The court highlighted that Rogerson's gambling debt and alleged coercion by third parties were factors considered in sentencing. The four‑year term is effective from 8 March 2023.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Septuagenarian jailed for drugs offence after nearly 20 years on the run. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 12, 2005 Incident
• November 2006 Incident
• Wednesday, March 8 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2005 Incident
• March 8 Other
• 2004 and 2005 Other
• 2023-03-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report