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Criminal jailed after fingerprints found on heroin bag claims barristers 'collaborated' to have him plead guilty
Summary
Sean Mooney, 40, and John Brown, 38, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to sell or supply on 17 August 2016. Garda investigation found Mooney's fingerprints on a Lidl shopping bag containing 27 g of heroin (value €3,780) and Brown's fingerprints on two drug bags in a shed at a Barry Drive property, one bag holding 122.9 g of heroin (value €17,206) and another a kilo of cannabis (value €20,000). Mooney, who has 34 prior convictions, claimed his defence counsel collaborated with Gardaí to secure a guilty plea. Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Mooney to 2½ years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions, and Brown to 4 years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months. The judge cited the drug values, prior convictions and community impact as aggravating factors, while noting the defendants' remorse and community standing as mitigating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal jailed after fingerprints found on heroin bag claims barristers 'collaborated' to have him plead guilty. Charges or matters: possessing drugs with the intent to sell or supply on August 17, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 17, 2016 Incident
- 2024-02-12 Publication
Why: He said he'd only entered a guilty plea because he was advised to. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing drugs with the intent to sell or supply on August 17, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced Brown to four years' imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months.
Accused
Charges: possessing drugs with the intent to sell or supply on August 17, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mooney was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment, but Judge Baxter suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Barry Park
- Dublin
- Barry Drive
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Barry Drive
Topics
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