Courts / Dublin / Report

Driver stopped for using phone had €108k in tablets

Summary

A driver who was stopped by gardai for using his phone was found to be carrying €108,000 in Alprozalam tablets. Robert Freer (39) was found with 54,000 tablets in the boot of his car and a small quantity of cocaine in his home. He had 15 previous convictions for public order and road traffic offences. His defence said he became involved in drug dealing to help a family member with a drug debt and that he was experiencing significant mental distress at the time. Judge Orla Crowe said Freer's reasons for getting involved in the offence were "utterly misplaced and reprehensible" and imposed a three-year prison term, which was backdated to when Freer first went into custody last month.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Driver stopped for using phone had €108k in tablets. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 4, 2023 Incident
• 2026-04-22 Publication

Why: He said his client accepts full responsibility for his actions, which he said were carried out for a "utterly misplaced but nevertheless commendable motive". CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Public Order Road Traffic Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report