Courts / Wicklow / Report

Cannabis mule told gardai he'd rather take the blame 'than a bullet in the head'

Date
2025-01-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Bray

County
Wicklow

Summary

Paul Costello, 54, of Cois Cairn, Bray, was jailed for four years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 30 January 2024. Gardaí seized 10 kg of cannabis worth €200,180 in his van and €52 of cocaine in the front. Costello admitted responsibility for the drugs, saying the cocaine was for personal use and that he had been instructed by a group of men to place the drugs in the van. He claimed he was a courier, not an owner, and that he would receive €100 per kilo. He also stated he would rather take the blame than a "bullet in the head". The judge noted his 16 prior convictions, none drug‑related, his health issues, early guilty plea and cooperation, and considered him unlikely to reoffend to the same degree.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cannabis mule told gardai he'd rather take the blame 'than a bullet in the head'. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 30, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When: