Courts / Dublin / Report
Furniture removal man caught with €2.5 million in drugs and large weapons cache
Summary
Patrick Brunell, 35, was jailed for five years after Gardaí seized €2.5 million worth of drugs and a large weapons cache at his father's transport company in Tallaght. He handed over 29 kg of cocaine, 6.4 kg of heroin, a Czech CZ rifle with silencer, a Beretta shotgun, a Yugoslavian AK‑47 style assault rifle and a German Sauer rifle with telescopic sight, plus 105 rounds of ammunition. Brunell, who had held the items for two weeks, claimed he was paid €1,500‑€2,000 and that he had no choice. He pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs and weapons. Judge Patrick McCartan, citing the seriousness of the weapons but noting Brunell was not the dealer, imposed a seven‑year sentence with the final two years suspended. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The article reports no further legal developments.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Furniture removal man caught with €2.5 million in drugs and large weapons cache. Charges or matters: possession of 29kgs of cocaine, 6.4kgs of heroin, a Czech made CZ rifle with silencer, a Beretta shotgun, a Yugoslavian AK 47 style assault rifle and a German Sauer rifle with telescopic sight, along with 105 rounds of ammunition. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 28, 2015 Incident
- 2016-07-15 Publication
Why: He said he was asked to hold them because it was known that he had access to his father's lock-up. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of 29kgs of cocaine, 6.4kgs of heroin, a Czech made CZ rifle with silencer, a Beretta shotgun, a Yugoslavian AK 47 style assault rifle and a German Sauer rifle with telescopic sight, along with 105 rounds of ammunition (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He imposed a seven year sentence with the final two suspended and told Brunell that he was sorry for him. "You've made dreadful mistake and you'll have to pay the consequences," Judge McCartan said. "Hopefully you'll appreciate that I've been as lenient as I can." Sergeant Brian Cagney told prosecuting counsel, Garret Baker BL, that a confidential tip-off led gardaí to put the Greenhills Road premises under surveillance.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Kiltalown Road
- Tallaght
- Greenhills Road
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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