Courts / Kildare / Report
Farmer's son jailed for 8 years for transporting drugs
Summary
Haulier John Needham, 31, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis and supplying a prescription-only medicinal product otherwise than in accordance with marketing authorisation. The offences occurred in July 2015 at a location in Finglas. Gardaí recovered 100 kilograms of cannabis resin valued at €580,000 and 400,000 Zopiclone tablets valued at €800,000 from a truck Needham was unloading. He admitted to being paid €500 to transport the goods, believing they were only tablets. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Needham had previously received a three-year sentence in France for a similar cannabis offence, with the final 18 months suspended. Despite mitigation that he was "easily led" and acting to help his financially troubled father, the Judge stated it was inconceivable he would repeat the offence for such a small reward. She found he had learned little from his prior incarceration and played a crucial role in bringing significant drugs into the country. The eight-year sentence was imposed as the final disposal for these admitted charges.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Farmer's son jailed for 8 years for transporting drugs. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis at a location in Finglas on in July 2015; supplying a prescription only medicinal product otherwise than in accordance with marketing authorisation. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2015 Incident
- 2016-07-01 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis at a location in Finglas on in July 2015; supplying a prescription only medicinal product otherwise than in accordance with marketing authorisation (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed an eight year sentence. Documents handed into court said Needham received a three year sentence with the final 18 months suspended in France for having a large amount of cannabis pollen and resin in a truck.
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