Courts / Dublin / Report

Dad-of-three caught trying to hide heroin-filled football

Summary

Paul Dempsey, 51, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the final year suspended after he was caught by Gardaí hiding a heroin‑filled football in a front garden. He had been caring for his son's maternal grandmother when Garda Stephen Byrne noticed him acting suspiciously and attempting to conceal a round object. A warrant was issued and within an hour the drugs were discovered. Dempsey pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply in Rathmines on 6 May 2015. He had previous convictions for road traffic offences and possession of drugs. Garda Eoin Hickey noted that a palm print on the package matched Dempsey's, but the court accepted that he was not the owner of the drugs. The judge acknowledged his past heroin addiction, recent gambling problems and positive steps taken to address his addictions, and imposed a four‑year sentence with the final year suspended on strict conditions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dad-of-three caught trying to hide heroin-filled football. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply in Rathmines on May 6, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 6, 2015 Incident
• 2016-07-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report