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Father of two caught with €1.2 million worth of heroin in his garden shed gets 8-year sentence
Summary
Stephen Reddington, 32, of Wheatfield Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of heroin for sale or supply after a search of his garden shed on 21 November 2011 revealed over €1.2 million worth of drugs in cylindrical containers and mixing agents. Gardaí had initially found no drugs in the house but were directed to the shed, where fingerprints were found on some items. Reddington had 28 prior convictions and had worked as a painter and decorator. The case was first dismissed in 2013 by Judge Mary Ellen Ring because the search warrant was not lawfully granted, but the Court of Appeal reinstated it. Judge Melanie Greally accepted the seizure as high‑value, noted Reddington's history of cocaine abuse but not severe addiction, and imposed an eight‑year sentence with the final three years suspended. She also acknowledged his efforts to address personal issues and his willingness to move on.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father of two caught with €1.2 million worth of heroin in his garden shed gets 8-year sentence. Charges or matters: possession of heroin in the shed at his home for sale or supply on November 21, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 21, 2011 Incident
- 2015-10-14 Publication
Why: Garda Kevin Dingley told Vincent Heneghan BL, prosecuting, that Reddington had told gardai searching the house that the drugs were in the garden shed "because of him". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of heroin in the shed at his home for sale or supply on November 21, 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Greally imposed an eight year sentence and suspended the final three years.
Places mentioned
Topics
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