Co Louth farmer John Prendergast jailed for 10 years over €1.6 million cannabis haul
A pallet containing more than 81kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of over €1.6 million was delivered to the property of John Prendergast, a 54-year-old farmer from Mill Park, Knockbridge, Co Louth, on 12 May 2025, three days after the haul was intercepted at Dublin Port. Prendergast accepted the delivery and moved the pallet into a shed, and when interviewed he denied knowledge of the drugs, claiming he thought it contained air filters. He was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis, possession for sale or supply, and having cannabis with an aggregate market value of more than €13,000 for sale or supply under section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act. He pleaded not guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court, and in June 2026 Judge Dara Hayes sentenced him to 10 years for the section 15a offence, with concurrent sentences of nine years and 4½ years for the other two counts.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A pallet containing more than 81kg of cannabis in 18 vacuum-packed bags, with an estimated street value of more than €1.6 million, was delivered to John Prendergast's property.
- The pallet had been shipped by a textiles company with an address in Amsterdam and the shipping label was addressed to John P Ballina Creations c/o John Prendergast Stores.
- Prendergast accepted delivery and used a forklift truck to move the pallet into a shed, and when interviewed he denied knowledge of the drugs, claiming he thought the pallet contained air filters.
- Where
- Mill Park, Knockbridge, Co Louth.
- When
- The offence occurred on 12 May 2025, three days after the drug haul was intercepted at Dublin Port.
- Investigation
- The delivery was made as part of a joint Revenue-Garda operation, and Gardaí found no evidence of Ballina Creations.
- Charges
- Prendergast was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and having cannabis with an aggregate market value of more than €13,000 for sale or supply under section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- In court
- He pleaded not guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court, and Judge Dara Hayes finalised the case in June 2026.
- Sentence
- He was sentenced to 10 years for the section 15a offence, with concurrent sentences of nine years for having cannabis for sale or supply and 4½ years for unlawful possession, and was directed to be given credit for time spent in custody.
- Other details
- John Prendergast, 54, is a farmer from Mill Park, Knockbridge, Co Louth, with 22 previous convictions including 11 under the Road Traffic Act and seven for Revenue offences.
- He is the principal carer for his mother and a brother with additional needs.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe pallet had been shipped by a textiles company with an address in Amsterdam. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe shipping label was addressed to John P Ballina Creations c/o John Prendergast Stores, Mill Park, Knockbridge. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe defendant accepted delivery and used a forklift truck to move the pallet from the lorry into a shed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe pallet contained more than 81kg of cannabis in 18 vacuum-packed bags. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe cannabis had an estimated street value of more than €1.6 million. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWhen interviewed, the defendant denied any knowledge of the drugs and claimed he thought the pallet contained air filters. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence occurred on 12 May 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe delivery was made three days after the drug haul was intercepted at Dublin Port. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí found no evidence of Ballina Creations. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and having the drug for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was also charged with having cannabis with an aggregate market value of more than €13,000 for sale or supply under section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe pleaded not guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Dara Hayes finalised the case on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to 10 years for the section 15a offence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceConcurrent sentences of nine years for having cannabis for sale or supply and 4½ years for unlawful possession were also imposed. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was directed to be given credit for time spent in custody. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJohn Prendergast, 54, is a farmer from Mill Park, Knockbridge, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPrendergast had 22 previous convictions, including 11 under the Road Traffic Act and seven for Revenue offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe is the principal carer for his mother and a brother with additional needs. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jun2026Farmer who claimed to be ‘squeaky clean’ when questioned about cannabis haul jailed for 10 years
Sentencing article: Prendergast received 10 years for the section 15a offence with concurrent sentences of nine years and 4½ years for the other two counts. He had 22 previous convictions and claimed he thought the pallet contained air filters.
convicted, John Prendergast, 54, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Prendergast