Thursday 5 November 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. 17946Possession of cocaine · Co. Kildare · 19 Feb 2022

Bench warrant issued for Newbridge man over cocaine possession

Jake Hughes, a 19-year-old man from Newbridge, Kildare, was alleged to have hidden €2,800 worth of cocaine in his home at 15 Standhouse Rise, which was searched on foot of a garda warrant on 19 February 2022. He appeared at Naas District Court on 10 March 2022, where Judge Desmond Zaidan sent the case forward for DPP direction. Hughes pleaded guilty before Judge Philip O'Leary in November 2023 and offered €2,000 to Naas Rugby Club as a sum of remorse, with the Probation Act to apply if he paid by 7 March 2024. He was absent on the latest court date, and Judge Zaidan issued a bench warrant for his arrest in March 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Mar
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Hughes is alleged to have hidden €2,800 worth of cocaine in his home.
Where
The address is 15 Standhouse Rise, Newbridge, Kildare.
When
The home was searched on foot of a garda warrant on 19 February 2022.
Investigation
Gardaí said the drugs were found in his bedroom along with deal-bags and weighing scales, and messages on his phone suggested he was dealing cocaine.
Charges
Hughes pleaded guilty to possession of €2,800 worth of cocaine.
In court
  • Hughes appeared at Naas District Court on 10 March 2022, where Judge Desmond Zaidan sent the case forward for DPP direction.
  • In November 2023, Hughes pleaded guilty before Judge Philip O'Leary and offered €2,000 to Naas Rugby Club as a sum of remorse.
  • Hughes was absent on the latest court date in March 2024, and Judge Desmond Zaidan issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Sentence
Hughes was ordered to pay the €2,000 by 7 March 2024, after which the judge would apply the Probation Act.
Other details
The defence said Hughes was dealing the drugs among friends and not for profit, and that he had no previous convictions.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe is alleged to have hidden €2,800 of suspected cocaine in his home. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe accused is 19 years old. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatHughes had stored €2,800 worth of cocaine in his home. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe address is 15 Standhouse Rise, Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereHughes is from Standhouse Rise in Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe cocaine was found in the defendant's home in Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe drugs were allegedly hidden on Saturday, 19 February 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenGardaí searched his home on foot of a garda warrant on February 19, 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe home was searched on foot of a garda warrant on February 19, 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationGardaí said the drugs were found in his bedroom, along with deal-bags and weighing scales. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationGardaí said they found messages on his phone suggesting he was dealing cocaine. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeThe defendant previously admitted being in possession of €2,800 worth of cocaine in his home. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJake Hughes appeared at Naas District Court on 10 March 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Desmond Zaidan sent the case forward for DPP direction. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtHughes pleaded guilty to the offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtHughes offered €2,000 to charity as a sum of remorse. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge O'Leary agreed to accept the offer. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe defendant was due to hand over €2,000 to Naas District Court on Thursday, March 7. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtBecause the defendant was absent on the latest court date, the judge said he would issue a warrant for his arrest. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceHughes was ordered to pay the money to Naas Rugby Club by March 7, 2024. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceIf Hughes makes the payment, the judge will apply the Probation Act. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defence said Hughes was dealing the drugs among his friends and not for profit. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defence said Hughes has no previous convictions. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe judge said the defendant had been given a chance before another judge but did not take it. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Mar2024
    In courtkildarenow.com, follow-up
    Bench warrant issued for absent Kildare court defendant who admitted to possessing €2,800 worth of cocaine

    Adds the court outcome: a bench warrant was issued after Hughes was absent from the latest court date. The article says he previously admitted the cocaine possession, which followed a search of his home in February 2022.

    accused, Jake Hughes, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Hughes
  2. 7 Nov2023
    In courtkildarenow.com, follow-up
    Charitable donation offered by Kildare man convicted of harbouring cocaine

    Reports that Hughes pleaded guilty, that the judge accepted his offer of €2,000 to charity, and that the Probation Act will be applied if he pays by March 7, 2024. Adds the defence account, the garda evidence about the drugs and messages, and the judge's remarks.

    accused, Jake Hughes, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Hughes
  3. 15 Mar2022
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    Kildare man accused of allegedly harbouring €2,800 of cocaine

    Reports the 10 March 2022 court appearance at which the case was sent forward for DPP direction; identifies the accused as 19 years old and gives his full address.

    accused, Jake Hughes, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Hughes