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52-year-old jailed for 'openly' using own home for drug trafficking
Summary
John Ginnelly, 52, was jailed after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 15 June 2023 for openly using his home in Ringsend to traffic drugs while children were present. Gardaí entered the house on a search warrant and found over €60,000 worth of cannabis, cocaine and benzodiazepine tablets, as well as €14,230 in cash proceeds. Ginnelly pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin, cannabis herb, cocaine and benzodiazepine tablets, and to possession of cash. He admitted to preparing drugs for distribution in his kitchen and had been involved in the trade at a "trusted level." The judge set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three years and nine months because of his early plea and cooperation, and added a concurrent two‑year sentence for money‑laundering. The sentence was back‑dated to 8 June, the day he entered custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 52-year-old jailed for 'openly' using own home for drug trafficking. Charges or matters: possessing cannabis resin, cannabis herb, cocaine and benzodiazepine tablets with a total combined value of €60,685 on October 8, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 8, 2021 Incident
- January 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 8 Other
- 2023-06-15 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possessing cannabis resin, cannabis herb, cocaine and benzodiazepine tablets with a total combined value of €60,685 on October 8, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of five years for the drugs offence, but reduced this to three years and nine months on account of mitigating factors including Ginnelly's early plea and cooperation. Ginnelly was also sentenced to two years for money-laundering, to run concurrently.
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