Former Olympic hopeful boxer appeals sentence over drugs and imitation firearm offences
The Wicklow PeopleA former international boxer has appealed his sentence after pleading guilty to several offences, including drug dealing, theft and possession of an imitation firearm
Regan Daly, also known as Regan Buckley (28), of Cois Cairn, Old Conna Road, Bray, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for the finalisation of his sentence.
Mr Daly pleaded guilty to one count of theft, possession of drugs for sale or supply, simple possession of drugs, and possession of an imitation firearm.
Mr Daly is a former professional boxer who achieved notable success at international level, winning multiple titles in Ireland and a bronze medal at the 2019 European Games in Minsk. He had been considered an Olympic hopeful with the potential to represent Ireland at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but later retired from the sport citing a lack of financial support.
The court heard that on November 11, 2023, the light-flyweight stole €20 worth of petrol from a Circle K service station in Brennanstown.
He was also found in possession of cocaine for the purpose of sale or supply at an address on Hawthorn Road in Bray.
In a separate incident in June 2023, he was found in possession of a realistic imitation firearm at a garage on Rutland Road.
Garda Philip Sheridan told the court that he executed a bench warrant for the accused after he failed to appear for a previous court date, having travelled to Thailand.
Solicitor for the defendant, Michael O’Connor, said that the court services had been notified that his client would return and present himself.
A probation report was handed into court which stated that Daly had failed to attend scheduled appointments.
Mr O’Connor said his client had been ill on one of the dates and had rearranged the appointment.
Sergeant Mick Canavan noted that Daly also failed to attend a follow-up meeting.
Defence counsel applied for a further adjournment to allow for another probation report, but Judge David Kennedy refused, stating that “that ship has well sailed”.
He also refused a further adjournment sought by the defence to prepare additional mitigation.
Judge Kennedy sentenced Mr Daly to eight months imprisonment on the firearms offence, with four months suspended, and imposed a further €750 fine for the rest of the offences.
A recognisance was fixed in the sum of €1,000 to allow for an appeal.
The court heard that Mr Daly paid half of this amount in cash at the time of lodging his appeal.
Mr Daly appealed the sentence and is due to appear before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in July, where District Court appeals are heard.