Gavin Minto argues eight-and-a-half-year drug sentence is excessive

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

Gavin Minto argued at the Court of Appeal that his eight-and-a-half-year sentence for drug possession was excessive. The proceedings were reported on 22 October 2024.

Minto, 29, of Whitestown Drive, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to possessing three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin, on 16 July 2020.

The court heard that gardaí searching a residential property found 151,110 MDMA tablets, 33.6kg of cannabis and 668.6 grams of Eutylone, with a combined value of €2.21 million. A tablet press, weighing scales and powder were also found. The homeowner told gardaí the garage was rented to someone other than Minto.

In March 2023, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Minto to eight and a half years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge said the garage appeared to be a drugs distribution centre and Minto had been involved. He considered Minto’s guilty plea, co-operation and admissions in mitigation.

At the appeal hearing on 22 October 2024, Michael O’Higgins SC, for Minto, argued that the sentence was excessive and that the judge should have considered suspending part of it. He said Minto had been homeless, €35,000 in debt and “leaned on” by a relative, and had grown up with a very violent father. Counsel said Minto was dyslexic, had a poor academic record and had taken steps to address his addiction.

Mr O’Higgins said the prosecuting garda had agreed Minto was on the lowest rung of the ladder. Gardaí accepted that the drugs belonged to a relative of Minto’s who had since died. Counsel also said a co-accused had received six years with three suspended, while making clear he was not relying on that sentence for comparison.

David Perry, for the State, argued that the sentence was within the judge’s range of options. He said Minto was entitled to credit for his early plea and personal circumstances, but that there was otherwise little mitigation; Minto had nine previous convictions, including three for drug offences.

This case may have concluded differently. The outcome has not yet been confirmed by a public source we could find.