Courts / Dublin / Report
Six-year sentence for man caught with heroin and cocaine
Summary
A 22-year-old man, Reece Byrne, has been sentenced to six years in prison for possession of heroin, cocaine, and diazepam, with the final six months suspended. Byrne pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply and money laundering at his home in Ballymun. During a search, Gardaí found large amounts of cocaine, heroin, and diazepam, with a total market value of €48,000. Byrne initially claimed the drugs were not his and that he had a drug debt, but the court did not accept this. Judge Martina Baxter noted Byrne's cooperation and lack of previous convictions but emphasized his role in the drugs trade. Byrne's co-accused, Laura Smith, received a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence for allowing her home to be used for drug preparation. The court acknowledged Smith's cooperation and her status as a mother of three, deeming it unlikely she would reoffend.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Six-year sentence for man caught with heroin and cocaine. Charges or matters: possession of drugs for sale or supply and money laundering at Cranogue Close, Ballymun on December 12, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 12, 2023 Incident
- 2026-01-14 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Outcome: Laura Smith (29) of Crannogue Close, Poppintree, Ballymun was given a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence by Judge Martin Nolan last November after pleading guilty to allowing her home to be used for the preparation of drugs for sale or supply on the same date.
Defendant
Charges: possession of drugs for sale or supply and money laundering at Cranogue Close, Ballymun on December 12, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge noted Byrne receives weekly visits from family in prison and has one disciplinary report for possession of a mobile phone. "I don't see Mr Byrne on the lowest rung," said Judge Baxter before handing down a six-year sentence with the final six months suspended and backdating it to November for time spent in custody. "Using someone else's home indicates an element of control," said the judge. Byrne's co-accused Laura Smith (29) of Crannogue Close, Poppintree, Ballymun was given a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence by Judge Martin Nolan last November after pleading guilty to allowing her home to be used for the preparation of drugs for sale or supply on the same date.
Places mentioned
- Poppintree
- Poppintree Crescent
- Ballymun
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- of Ballymun Garda Station
- Ballymun
Topics
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