Courts / Dublin / Report
Moving drugs turned out to be 'worst nightmare' for family man seeking answer to money woes
Summary
Dennis Menton, a 34‑year‑old father of five from Rathcoole, pleaded guilty to possession of 30 kg of cannabis for sale or supply outside his home. He was caught after Garda officers, acting on confidential information, stopped him while he parked a rental car and discovered the drugs in a second vehicle. Menton admitted transporting the drugs on five to six occasions over the past three months, earning €2,000 per job. He had no prior convictions and had been working multiple jobs to meet financial obligations. The court noted his early guilty plea, cooperation, good work record and family responsibilities. The offence carries a mandatory 10‑year sentence, but the judge departed from that and imposed a five‑and‑a‑half‑year term, citing mitigating factors. Menton has expressed remorse, is attending counselling and has considered studying community addiction studies. The court accepted his statements that the drugs were cannabis, a less harmful substance than cocaine or heroin.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Moving drugs turned out to be 'worst nightmare' for family man seeking answer to money woes. Charges or matters: possession of the cannabis for sale or supply outside his home on December 16, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 16, 2022 Incident
- 2023-12-01 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the cannabis for sale or supply outside his home on December 16, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He took into account Menton was a good family man and his imprisonment will impact his children. Judge Nolan said he found that he could depart from the presumptive mandatory sentence in the circumstances of this case and he imposed a five-and-a-half-year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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