Courts / Dublin / Report
Judge praises garda for having drug dealer "closed down"
Summary
Sean Bird, 25, of Ard Mor Lawn, Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five years in prison for possession of drugs for sale or supply. The final three years of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. Bird pleaded guilty to possessing €34,000 worth of heroin found at his home on December 18, 2014. He initially denied the charge but changed his plea to guilty on the second day of trial, after which he was remanded in custody pending sentence. Judge Patrick McCartan noted that Bird had no previous convictions and acknowledged evidence of mental health issues, citing his mother's testimony regarding prior psychiatric assistance. The judge praised Garda Fran Glennon for his police work in stopping Bird and removing the drugs from circulation. Despite offering leniency due to Bird's supportive family and good character, Judge McCartan emphasized the need to send a strong message against assisting drug trafficking. He expressed dismay that the Direction of Public Prosecution left the sentencing decision to the court, given Bird's late guilty plea. The judge also noted that while defense counsel submitted Bird only abused cannabis, reports indicated he had also taken heroin and cocaine. The matter was finalized with this sentence, reflecting the court's balance between leniency for a first-time offender and the severity of the offense.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge praises garda for having drug dealer "closed down". Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on December 18, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 18, 2014 Adjournment
- 2016-07-20 Publication
Why: He said he was offering considerable leniency to Bird because of his supportive family and in the hope that he would have work when he finished his sentence. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on December 18, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ard Mor Lawn, Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin was sentenced today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five years in prison with the final three years suspended on strict conditions. "I have to send a message to all the Sean Birds of this world that if they lend themselves to the assistance of drug trafficking they must be dealt with in a significant way by the court," Judge McCartan.; On the second day of that trial he changed his plea to guilty and was remanded in custody pending sentence last Monday.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on December 18, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Bird of Ard Mor Lawn, Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin was sentenced today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five years in prison with the final three years suspended on strict conditions. "I have to send a message to all the Sean Birds of this world that if they lend themselves to the assistance of drug trafficking they must be dealt with in a significant way by the court," Judge McCartan. He acknowledged that it would be difficult for Bird to cope with a prison sentence, considering evidence that he had mental health issues.; On the second day of that trial he changed his plea to guilty and was remanded in custody pending sentence last Monday.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- but came to Tallaght Garda Station
- Tallaght
Topics
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request