Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for father-of-two caught transporting €72k in cocaine
Summary
Mark McHugh, 35, a father of two from Wood Avens, Clondalkin, was given a suspended six‑year sentence after pleading guilty to possession of more than €72,000 worth of cocaine on Kylemore Road on 9 April 2015. He claimed he was forced to collect the drugs after a previous package went missing, which increased his debt from €2,000 to €40,000, and that he was pressured for seven months to transport the cocaine to reduce a €600 debt. McHugh had two earlier convictions for criminal damage and threatening behaviour. Judge Melanie Greally, citing extensive pro‑social testimonials, suspended the sentence on strict conditions, noting McHugh had not previously committed serious offences and had been a productive community member. The case was prosecuted by Joseph Barnes BL, with Garda Aisling Hobbs presenting evidence that McHugh had been under duress and that the drugs were found under the front seat of his car.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for father-of-two caught transporting €72k in cocaine. Charges or matters: possession of the cocaine on Kylemore Road on April 9, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 9, 2015 Incident
- 2016-02-22 Publication
Why: He had agreed to collect this first package to pay off a €2,000 drug debt he had run up because of his own use of cocaine. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the cocaine on Kylemore Road on April 9, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally sentenced McHugh to six years in prison which she suspended in full on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Kylemore Road
- Kylemore Road
Topics
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