Courts / Dublin / Report
Middle-aged drugs 'gillie' jailed over €155k cannabis haul
Summary
David Weir, 49, of Eastham Park, Bettystown, was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of possession of cannabis for sale or supply in his home and in Raheny on 22 February 2021. He admitted possession of an air rifle and had seven prior convictions, including drug and traffic offences. Weir was arrested after handing a large black bag of cannabis to taxi driver Mark Byrne, the target of a Garda surveillance operation. Gardaí seized 5 kg of cannabis at Byrne's home and 2.7 kg at Weir's Bettystown home, along with an air rifle, weighing scales and a vacuum packaging machine. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Weir to seven years, suspended the final two and a half years on the condition of good behaviour, and imposed a five‑year custodial term. The judge noted Weir's advanced lung disease and mental health history, and considered these factors in the sentencing. The case highlights the role of a "gillie" in drug distribution.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Middle-aged drugs 'gillie' jailed over €155k cannabis haul. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply both in his home and Raheny, Dublin on February 22, 2021; possessing the cannabis for sale or supply at his home on Watermill Drive, Raheny, Dublin 5 on February 22, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 22, 2021 Incident
- December 2022 Incident
- 2024-06-18 Publication
Why: He said the cannabis was in his home because he "let the drugs be put there". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply both in his home and Raheny, Dublin on February 22, 2021; possessing the cannabis for sale or supply at his home on Watermill Drive, Raheny, Dublin 5 on February 22, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Lawlor handed in a medical report to the court, which outlined the fact that Weir has advanced lung disease, which she said would have been very apparent to gardaí during his detention.
Background Person
Charges: possessing the cannabis for sale or supply at his home on Watermill Drive, Raheny, Dublin 5 on February 22, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mark Byrne (49), was sentenced to three years in December 2022.
Places mentioned
- Eastham Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Watermill Drive
Topics
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