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"One less drug dealer", judge tells man as he is jailed for four years
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced 43‑year‑old Robert Kealy to five years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on probation, after Kealy pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply. Kealy was arrested following a Garda stop outside The Barge Pub, where he was found with heroin worth €7,598. A subsequent search of his home uncovered weighing scales and drug‑dealing "tick lists". The judge said the sentence was intended to remove one more dealer from the streets, noting Kealy was selling drugs to support his own habit despite medical warnings of possible amputations. Kealy's record includes 42 prior convictions for drug dealing, assault, theft, burglary and criminal damage. His defence counsel, Sarah‑Jane Callaghan, described him as a chronic drug user who was deeply sorry for the harm he caused. Garda Paddy Farrell confirmed Kealy's role as a trusted distributor within the local drug‑using community.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "One less drug dealer", judge tells man as he is jailed for four years. Charges or matters: possession of heroin for sale or supply at Charlemont Mall on August 31, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 31, 2015 Incident
- 2016-07-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of heroin for sale or supply at Charlemont Mall on August 31, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge McCartan imposed a five year sentence but suspended the last year on condition that he come under the supervision of the Probation Services for that period.
Places mentioned
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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