Courts / Dublin / Report

"Exemplary prisoner" left standing on city street for an hour after giving conference speech

Summary

Joseph O'Neill, 41, pleaded guilty to possessing €1.4 million worth of heroin with intent to supply. He was caught with 10 kg of heroin concealed in two fire extinguishers. While in Cloverhill Prison, O'Neill became chairman of the jail's Red Cross organisation and worked on a programme to reduce prison violence. He gave a speech at an international conference in Dublin Castle and was left standing on Dame Street for an hour before guards escorted him back to prison. O'Neill apologised to gardaí, admitted he was a chronic cocaine addict and had been motivated by debt after losing his truck‑driver job. He asked the court to consider suspending part of any sentence imposed. He will be sentenced on 15 July.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Exemplary prisoner" left standing on city street for an hour after giving conference speech. Charges or matters: possessing heroin with intent to supply on August 19 last year. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 19 Incident
• July 15 Other
• 2016-07-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report