Ireland Drug mule given suspended sentence over €20,000 cannabis find in Donegal
On 2 September 2021 gardaí stopped a vehicle at Castleforward Demesne, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal, and found 1,007.1 grams of cannabis valued at €20,142 in a bag where passenger Anthony Foley, a 38-year-old man, was sitting. Foley spent almost two weeks on remand before bail was posted, and he was then charged with unlawfully possessing cannabis for sale or supply. He appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court, which accepted that he was carrying for others for a small reward. In the most recent development, reported on 1 May 2024, he was given an 18-month sentence wholly suspended for 18 months, and a destruction order was made for the drugs.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Forensic testing confirmed 1,007.1 grams of cannabis valued at €20,142 were found.
- Where
- The cannabis was found in Donegal at Castleforward Demesne, Newtowncunningham.
- When
- The offence date was 2 September 2021.
- Cause
- Foley told gardaí he collected the package in Derry.
- Investigation
- Gardaí stopped the vehicle after seeing it being driven erratically, and Foley was a passenger in it.
- Gardaí searched the car and found a black bag in the foot well where Foley was sitting, containing a white box with a green substance wrapped in black plastic.
- Foley admitted ownership of the bag after gardaí detected a strong smell of cannabis.
- Other details
- Foley spent almost two weeks in prison on remand before bail was posted.
- Charges
- Foley was charged with unlawfully possessing cannabis for sale or supply.
- In court
- Foley appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court, where the judge accepted that his role was that of a mule carrying for others for a small reward.
- Sentence
- Foley was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months.
- A destruction order was made for the drugs.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatForensic testing confirmed 1,007.1 grams of cannabis valued at €20,142. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe cannabis was found in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe offence took place at Castleforward Demesne, Newtowncunningham. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe offence date was 2 September 2021. (donegallive.ie)
- causeFoley told gardaí he collected the package in Derry. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí stopped the vehicle after seeing it driving erratically. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationFoley was a passenger in the stopped vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí searched the car and found a black bag in the foot well where Foley was sitting. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationInside the bag was a white box containing a green substance wrapped in black plastic. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationFoley admitted ownership of the bag after gardaí detected a strong smell of cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeFoley was charged with unlawfully possessing cannabis for sale or supply. (donegallive.ie)
- courtFoley appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge accepted that Foley's role was one of a mule carrying for others for a small reward. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceFoley was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceA destruction order was made for the drugs. (donegallive.ie)
- otherFoley spent almost two weeks in prison on remand before bail was posted. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2024Drug mule spared prison after €20k cannabis stash found by Donegal gardai
Sentencing report from Letterkenny Circuit Court. The article covers the court outcome and the garda evidence, including the vehicle search and the cannabis valuation. It names no other case.
convicted, Anthony Foley, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Foley