Ireland Case No. 14939Possession of a controlled drug (cannabis) · Co. Donegal · 3 Sep 2023
Bench warrant issued for Lifford man over cannabis possession
On September 3, 2023, Keelan Kelly, a 24-year-old man from Lifford, Co Donegal, was reported to have been found with a cannabis joint in a car at a filling station forecourt in Lifford. He was due before Letterkenny District Court but did not attend, and in his absence the judge found the facts proven. He has two previous convictions for drugs possession. As reported on January 15, 2025, a bench warrant for his sentencing has been issued, and the judge has required him to be present to be sentenced.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 Jan
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Keelan Kelly, a 24-year-old man from Lifford, was caught with a cannabis joint in a car.
- The joint was described in the reports as a rolled cigarette found in the passenger footwell of the vehicle.
- Kelly admitted the item was his and said it was for his own personal use.
- Where
- Detective Garda John O'Sullivan was on the forecourt of a filling station in Lifford.
- When
- The incident happened on September 3, 2023.
- Investigation
- The detective passed a vehicle and detected a strong smell of cannabis.
- The detective told the occupants he would search the vehicle under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- Laboratory analysis confirmed the substance was cannabis.
- Charges
- Kelly was due before Letterkenny District Court.
- In court
- Kelly did not attend his court date.
- In Kelly's absence, the judge found the facts proven.
- Kelly has two previous convictions for possession of drugs.
- The judge said she was not impressed that Kelly had not attended court and required him to be present to be sentenced.
- Sentence
- A bench warrant for sentencing was issued for Kelly.
- Other details
- The judge noted a third possession conviction could carry a custodial sentence.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA 24-year-old from Lifford was caught with a cannabis joint in a car. (donegallive.ie)
- whatA rolled cigarette was found in the passenger footwell of the vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
- whatKelly admitted the item was his and said it was for his own personal use. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe detective was on the forecourt of a filling station in Lifford. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on September 3, 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe detective passed a vehicle and detected a strong smell of cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe detective told the occupants he would search the vehicle under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationLaboratory analysis confirmed the substance was cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeKelly was due before Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtKelly did not attend his court date. (donegallive.ie)
- courtIn Kelly's absence, the judge found the facts proven. (donegallive.ie)
- courtKelly has two previous convictions for possession of drugs. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge said she was not impressed that Kelly had not attended court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge required Kelly to be present to be sentenced. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceA bench warrant for sentencing was issued for Kelly. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge noted a third possession conviction could carry a custodial sentence. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Jan2025Bench warrant issued for Donegal man on drugs charge
Reports the court hearing at which Kelly was found guilty in his absence, the bench warrant issued for his sentencing, and the judge's comments on his previous convictions.
convicted, Keelan Kelly, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keelan Kelly