Ireland Acquitted Tipperary firefighter wins injunction against disciplinary meeting
In January 2018 cocaine worth about €78,000 was allegedly found in a lunch box in a locker at Nenagh fire station in County Tipperary. In February 2023 a jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Michael Morgan, then 43, of Cluain Muillean, Nenagh, of charges arising from the discovery. The same trial found John Walsh guilty of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply. Tipperary County Council suspended Morgan on full pay and first told him on 13 September 2023 that it intended to raise issues from the criminal trial. On 14 September 2023 Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger granted Morgan a temporary injunction restraining the council from holding a disciplinary meeting due on Friday, and the matter was adjourned to a date in October when the new legal term commences.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted14 Sep
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- About €78,000 worth of cocaine was allegedly found in a lunch box.
- Where
- The lunch box was allegedly found in a locker at Nenagh fire station in County Tipperary.
- When
- The cocaine was allegedly found in January 2018.
- Investigation
- A subsequent Garda examination of the drugs found no forensic link to Michael Morgan, and when the drugs were found Morgan was not in the fire station and his locker had been open.
- Other details
- Michael Morgan denied any wrongdoing and said the lunch box had been in the locker for some time.
- Tipperary County Council suspended Michael Morgan from his job on full pay over the incident.
- The council first told Michael Morgan on 13 September 2023 that it intended to raise issues arising from the criminal trial.
- The council maintained internal disciplinary proceedings against Michael Morgan despite his acquittal.
- Charges
- Michael Morgan faced charges of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply.
- John Walsh was found guilty by the jury of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply.
- John Walsh was acquitted of allegedly possessing cocaine worth €13,000 or more.
- In court
- In February 2023 a jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Michael Morgan of the charges.
- On 14 September 2023 Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger granted Michael Morgan a temporary interim injunction, made ex parte, restraining Tipperary County Council from holding a disciplinary meeting due on Friday at 11am.
- The judge adjourned the matter to a date in October when the new legal term commences.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe cocaine, about €78,000 worth, was allegedly found in a lunch box in a locker at Nenagh fire station. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe cocaine was allegedly found in January 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA subsequent Garda examination of the drugs found no forensic link to Michael Morgan. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJohn Walsh was found guilty by the jury of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJohn Walsh was acquitted of allegedly possessing cocaine worth €13,000 or more. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Michael Morgan of the charges last February. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Marguerite Bolger granted Michael Morgan an interim injunction restraining Tipperary County Council from holding a disciplinary meeting due on Friday at 11am. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted a temporary injunction on an ex parte basis restraining the meeting from taking place. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter to a date in October when the new legal term commences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMichael Morgan denied any wrongdoing and said the lunch box had been in the locker for some time. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMichael Morgan was suspended by the council from his job on full pay over the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe council maintained internal disciplinary proceedings against Michael Morgan despite his acquittal. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe council first told Michael Morgan on September 13 that it intended to raise issues arising from the criminal trial. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Sep2023Firefighter acquitted of drugs offences secures injunction preventing disciplinary hearing against him
Reports a civil High Court injunction in Michael Morgan's employment dispute arising from the earlier criminal trial. It adds the acquittal of Morgan and the conviction of John Walsh at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court, and the council's disciplinary process.
accused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganconvicted, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh