Derek O’Callaghan jailed for drug possession for sale or supply

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Derek O’Callaghan was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him on 20 October 2021. The proceedings were reported on 20 October 2021.

O’Callaghan pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs for sale or supply. The offences concerned Donomore Crescent, Tallaght, on 23 February 2017 and Round Garden, Garter Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, on 7 June 2018.

Detective Garda Gavin Curran told the court that the drugs found in the two searches had a total street value of €73,450. O’Callaghan told gardaí that a small amount was for his own use and that he was holding the rest for an unnamed person after incurring a drug debt. Defence counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC said he was storing the drugs under duress and had experienced violence.

Judge Greally took account of his guilty pleas, admissions and co-operation, his vulnerability and poor mental health, and his efforts to rehabilitate and break away from former associates. She said his level of involvement and the quantity of drugs did not warrant a suspended sentence for the offence, and that his mental health vulnerabilities did not place him in an exceptional category. The conditions attached to the suspended portion included engaging with the Probation Service for 12 months before his release from prison.