Courts / Dublin / Report
Doctor of social studies jailed for possessing €285k of heroin
Summary
Clive McCowan, 45, a former PhD student in social studies, was sentenced to just over three‑and‑a‑half years in prison for possessing €285,000 worth of heroin. He pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply at Millrace Park, Saggart, on 6 June 2024. Gardaí searched his residence at Rossfield Court, Tallaght, and found approximately 2 kg of heroin, 147 g of cannabis, and 8 g of cocaine, along with weighing scales and a boiler. McCowan admitted to receiving the drugs two weeks earlier, having been instructed to cut a section of diamorphine, and claimed he had a drug debt of €30,000. He had eight prior convictions, including robbery, and had previously completed a residential treatment programme. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the substantial mitigation and McCowan's cooperation, imposed a four‑year sentence, reduced by four months for his treatment. The court considered this his second incursion into drug‑dealing activity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Doctor of social studies jailed for possessing €285k of heroin. Charges or matters: three counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply at Millrace Park, Saggart on June 6, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 6, 2024 Incident
- 2005 and 2017 Other
- 2025-07-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply at Millrace Park, Saggart on June 6, 2024 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He imposed a sentence of four years, but reduced it by four months to reflect McCowan's time in residential treatment.
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