Courts / Dublin / Report

'Ordinary hard-working man' moved €3.9m in cannabis out of financial desperation, court hears

Date
2024-10-31

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 43-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty to possessing approximately €3.9 million worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Justin McCormack, originally from Boyle, Co Roscommon, was arrested on October 11th last year after gardaí stopped a white transit van and discovered a large quantity of drugs wrapped in plastic bags. A further 1,174 kg of cannabis was subsequently recovered from a business unit on Esmond Avenue in Fairview. Defence counsel described McCormack, a cabinet maker of over twenty years, as an "ordinary, hard-working man" who transported the drugs due to financial desperation and impaired judgement arising from substance misuse. The court heard McCormack had accumulated significant legitimate business and personal debts at the time of his arrest. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case until November 14th to allow time for consideration of extensive documentation, including psychological and prison governor reports. McCormack has remained in custody since his arrest.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Ordinary hard-working man' moved €3.9m in cannabis out of financial desperation, court hears. Charges or matters: possessing the drugs for sale or supply at a business unit in Fairview and in a white transit van on October 11 and 12 last year. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

October 11 Incident
November 14 Adjournment
October 13, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
2024-10-31 Publication

Why: Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case until November 14 for finalisation, in order to read a large volume of documentation including a governor's report and psychological report. CNI source report

Case subjects

Justin McCormack

Defendant

Charges: possessing the drugs for sale or supply at a business unit in Fairview and in a white transit van on October 11 and 12 last year (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case until November 14 for finalisation, in order to read a large volume of documentation including a governor's report and psychological report.