Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11906Possession of drugs for sale or supply · Co. Westmeath · 10 Feb 2023

Athlone apprentice pleads guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply

Joseph Kelly, 23, pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cocaine and having it for sale or supply in Athlone on 10 February 2023. A sentence hearing was set for 12 December.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereKelly is from Clonown, Athlone, Co Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 10 February 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were drawn to Kelly's car after another man was seen urinating beside it. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí saw three males exit Kelly's car after they pulled into the car park. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationKelly dropped an object wrapped in cling film, which was found to be a single deal of cocaine. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationA bar of uncut cocaine was found when Kelly's car was searched. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeKelly pleaded guilty to possessing drugs and having them for sale or supply. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtDetective Garda John Divilly gave evidence at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Connolly remanded Kelly in custody. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA sentence hearing was set for 12 December. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe cocaine bar was valued at €17,500. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherKelly denied all knowledge of the drug and declined to provide his phone PIN. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherKelly told his probation officer that he was holding the package for the person who supplied him. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherKelly said he owed money for cocaine and had no prior convictions. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherEvidence was heard that Kelly was involved in a later car chase with gardaí. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Dec2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Gardaí caught man with cocaine after noticing another man urinating beside his car, court hears

    Reports the guilty plea at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, the garda evidence of how the cocaine was found, the remand in custody, and that a sentence hearing was set for 12 December.

    accused, Joseph Kelly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Kelly