Courts / Dublin / Report
Criminal jailed for trying to fly heroin into Cloverhill prison
Summary
Wayne McDonnell, 39, pleaded guilty to possessing a drone with intent to fly €500 worth of heroin into Cloverhill Prison. Garda Tadhg McCarthy testified that prison staff observed a drone over the prison on 12 February 2024, and that a tracking system was used to locate the drone's flight path. McDonnell was arrested when he refused to open his pockets for a search and was found with two black Samsung phones, one being the drone controller. A copper pipe attached to the drone contained five deals of diamorphine, totaling 4.9 g with a street value of €587. McDonnell, who has prior convictions for drug possession, theft and public order offences, was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment by Judge Elma Sheahan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the seriousness of the offence and mitigating factors including McDonnell's early guilty plea, work history and his role in supporting his father.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal jailed for trying to fly heroin into Cloverhill prison. Charges or matters: a charge of having in his possession or control a drone with intent of using that drone to fly a controlled substance, diamorphine, into Cloverhill Prison in connection with facilitating or instigating a drug trafficking offence. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 12, 2024 Incident
- 2025-03-24 Publication
Why: He is currently not working full-time in order to support his father, who is awaiting major surgery, Mr Clarke said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a charge of having in his possession or control a drone with intent of using that drone to fly a controlled substance, diamorphine, into Cloverhill Prison in connection with facilitating or instigating a drug trafficking offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: McDonnell, of St Finians Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin, was jailed for 14 months on Monday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Places mentioned
- Cloverhill Prison
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- when searched at the garda station
Topics
Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Theft
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