Friday 30 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. 15532Drug offences (possession of drugs for sale or supply) · Co. Donegal

Buncrana man given suspended sentence for drug dealing after discarded envelope led gardaí to him

Gardaí arrested Patrick McNamee, a 28-year-old man of Burwood, Buncrana, after an envelope posted in Buncrana that had couriered drugs was found in a wheelie bin, and CCTV from Buncrana Post Office captured him. Gardaí seized 306 ecstasy tablets, 28.1 grams of cocaine and 4.5 grams of cannabis, valued at 5,407 euro, and 5,630 euro in cash. McNamee pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing drugs for the purpose of selling or supplying, a plea the report dates to 25 March 2021. He was given a suspended sentence at Letterkenny Circuit Court, with forfeiture and destruction orders made, and the court report was published on 10 November 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Patrick McNamee is a 28-year-old man of Burwood, Buncrana, County Donegal.
  • Gardaí seized 306 ecstasy tablets, 28.1 grams of cocaine and 4.5 grams of cannabis at his home.
  • The seized drugs were valued at 5,407 euro, and gardaí recovered 5,630 euro in cash.
Where
Sources place a search under a search warrant in the Donegal Town area, while the drugs were found at McNamee's home at Burwood, Buncrana.
Investigation
  • Gardaí found a discarded envelope in a wheelie bin that had been posted in Buncrana and had been used to courier drugs.
  • Detectives obtained CCTV footage from Buncrana Post Office that captured McNamee.
  • McNamee was arrested and told gardaí he had a severe addiction himself.
Charges
McNamee pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing illegal drugs for the purpose of selling or supplying, a plea the report dates to 25 March 2021.
In court
McNamee was given a suspended sentence when he appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Sentence
  • Judge Aylmer said the offending merited concurrent sentences of 18 months' imprisonment before mitigation.
  • The 12-month sentences were suspended for one year on McNamee entering a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
  • McNamee was ordered to abstain completely from unprescribed drugs and alcohol during the suspended period.
  • A destruction order for the drugs and a forfeiture order for 5,630 euro in cash were made.
When
The court report on the sentencing was published on 10 November 2024; the incident date is not stated.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized 306 ecstasy tablets, 28.1 grams of cocaine and 4.5 grams of cannabis at McNamee's home at Burwood, Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe drugs found were valued at 5,407 euro and gardaí recovered 5,630 euro in cash. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereGardaí raided a property in the Donegal Town area with a search warrant. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found an envelope in a wheelie bin that had been posted in Buncrana and had couriered drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationDetectives obtained CCTV footage from Buncrana Post Office that captured McNamee. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMcNamee was arrested and told gardaí he had a severe addiction himself. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcNamee pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing illegal drugs for the purpose of selling or supplying. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcNamee was given a suspended sentence when he appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Aylmer said the offending merited concurrent sentences of 18 months imprisonment before mitigation. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe 12-month sentences were suspended for one year on McNamee entering a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceMcNamee was ordered to abstain completely from unprescribed drugs and alcohol during the suspended period. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceA destruction order for the drugs and a forfeiture order for 5,630 euro in cash were made. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Nov2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Return to sender: Discarded envelope leads Gardai to Buncrana drug dealer

    Court report of sentencing at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Gives the drugs seized, the investigation that led to the arrest, the sentence and the forfeiture and destruction orders. The incident date is not stated in the article.

    convicted, Patrick McNamee, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McNamee