Saturday 31 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. 18825Possession of cocaine for sale or supply; possession of cannabis · Co. Kilkenny

Callan man jailed for two years over cocaine sale and supply

Lee Thornton, 41, of Callan, County Kilkenny, was arrested after a car he was travelling in was stopped by gardaí for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act on May 7, 2020, when two bags of cocaine and €740 in cash were seized. The offences took place on dates in May 2020 and March 2021. Thornton pleaded guilty at Kilkenny court to possession of cocaine for sale or supply to others and to possession of cannabis for personal use. The judge imposed a two-year prison sentence and fully suspended a second two-year term on condition that he enter a bond to keep the peace, as reported on December 20, 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Lee Thornton, 41, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply and possession of cannabis for personal use.
Where
Thornton lives at Edmund Rice Park, Callan, County Kilkenny.
When
The offences took place on dates in May 2020 and March 2021.
Investigation
  • On May 7, 2020, gardaí stopped a car Thornton was travelling in for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
  • Thornton told gardaí he had cocaine, was arrested and was searched at Kilkenny Garda Station.
  • Gardaí seized two bags of cocaine, valued at €210, and €740 in cash.
Charges
Thornton pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale and supply to others and to possession of cannabis for personal use.
In court
The court heard that Thornton has nine previous convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed a two-year prison sentence for the sale and supply offence dating to May 2020.
  • The judge fully suspended the second two-year sentence on condition that Thornton enter a bond to keep the peace.
Other details
The Kilkenny Live report is dated 19 December 2023 in its index and 20 December 2023 in the article text.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThornton lives in Callan, County Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on dates in May 2020 and March 2021. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí stopped a car Thornton was travelling in for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act on May 7, 2020. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized two bags of cocaine and €740 in cash from Thornton. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeThornton pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale and supply to others and to possession of cannabis for personal use. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a two-year prison sentence for the sale and supply charge dating to May 2020. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fully suspended the second two-year sentence on condition that Thornton enter a bond to keep the peace. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe court heard that Thornton has nine previous convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Dec2023
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Callan drug dealer jailed for two years

    Reports the sentence imposed at Kilkenny court, including the two-year prison term and the fully suspended second sentence, and the details of the 2020 and 2021 searches.

    convicted, Lee Thornton, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lee Thornton