Courts / Dublin / Report
Homeless addict has jail term cut over role in €2.2m 'drugs distribution centre'
Summary
Gavin Minto, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin, on 16 July 2020. Gardaí searched a residential property, finding 151,110 MDMA tablets, 33.6 kilos of cannabis, 668.6 grams of Eutylone and other drug‑related items, with a combined value of €2.21 million. The court described the garage as a drugs distribution centre and noted Minto's involvement. The original sentence of eight‑and‑a‑half years was quashed by the Court of Appeal, which found the sentencing judge had not given sufficient weight to a psychological report detailing Minto's chronic substance abuse, mental health issues and willingness to address his problems. The appeal judge set a headline sentence of 11 years, then re‑sentenced Minto to seven years in prison, back‑dated to March 2023, after considering mitigating factors such as his homelessness, debt, dyslexia, poor academic record, and attempts at rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Homeless addict has jail term cut over role in €2.2m 'drugs distribution centre'. Charges or matters: possession of three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin on July 16, 2020. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 16, 2020 Incident
- March 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-12-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin on July 16, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At his appeal hearing in October, O'Higgins SC, representing Minto, argued that the nomination of eight and a half years as a final sentence to be imposed was "excessive" in all circumstances. Counsel questioned the severity of the sentence imposed in circumstances where the appellant was a homeless person with cognitive difficulties who had "no skin in the game" in terms of finances.
Places mentioned
- Whitestown Drive
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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