Ireland Edenderry man pleads guilty to impeding gardaí during Offaly drug search
Simon Whelan (41), of Boyne Meadows, Edenderry, admitted impeding a garda during a drug search at The Sycamores, Edenderry, on 30 November 2023. Gardaí alleged that he swallowed crack cocaine concealed in his sleeve, but his solicitor, Donal Farrelly, denied this and said the item was a Tranex tablet. At Tullamore District Court, reported on 15 January 2024, he pleaded guilty before Judge Andrew Cody, who said he would impose a suspended six-month sentence unless written evidence on treatment was provided. The latest development is an adjournment to Wednesday 17 January 2024 for that evidence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 Jan
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Simon Whelan admitted impeding a garda during a drug search.
- Where
- The search took place at The Sycamores, Edenderry, County Offaly.
- When
- The incident happened on 30 November 2023, with the year inferred from the reports.
- Charges
- The charge alleged Whelan had swallowed crack cocaine that had been concealed in his sleeve.
- Investigation
- His solicitor, Donal Farrelly, denied the gardaí's claim and said the item swallowed was a Tranex tablet, not crack cocaine.
- In court
- Whelan pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court before Judge Andrew Cody, as reported on 15 January 2024.
- The judge adjourned the matter to Wednesday 17 January for written evidence on a treatment waiting list and admission timeline.
- Sentence
- The judge said he would impose a suspended six-month sentence unless the written treatment evidence was provided.
- Other details
- Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that Whelan had 61 previous convictions, a number of them for drug possession.
- The solicitor said Whelan has an addiction and is waiting for a bed in a treatment centre.
- Whelan is 41 years old, of Boyne Meadows, Edenderry, and is a father of one.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSimon Whelan admitted impeding a garda during a drug search. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe search took place at The Sycamores, Edenderry. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe drug search took place at The Sycamores, Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 30 November 2023. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 30 November, with the year inferred as 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe charge alleged Whelan had swallowed crack cocaine that had been concealed in his sleeve. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeThe charge alleged Whelan swallowed crack cocaine concealed in his sleeve. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeSimon Whelan admitted impeding a garda. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSimon Whelan pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter to Wednesday 17 January. (kildarenow.com)
- courtA guilty plea was entered at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter to Wednesday 17 January for written evidence on treatment. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter to 17 January for written evidence of a treatment waiting list and admission timeline. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would impose the suspended six-month sentence unless written evidence on treatment was provided. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe judge said he would impose the suspended six-month sentence unless the evidence was provided. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor denied gardaí's claim that his client had swallowed crack cocaine. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe solicitor said the item swallowed was a Tranex tablet, not crack cocaine. (kildarenow.com)
- otherWhelan had 61 previous convictions, many for drug possession. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said Whelan suffered from addiction and was waiting for a bed in a treatment centre. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe solicitor denied that his client had swallowed crack cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said the swallowed item was a Tranex tablet, not crack cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHis solicitor denied gardaí's claim that he swallowed crack cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said the swallowed item was a Tranex tablet. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherSergeant Brendan Kearns told the court Whelan had 61 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said Whelan has addiction and was waiting for a bed in a treatment centre. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Jan2024Claim that man swallowed crack cocaine during Offaly drug search is denied
Adds the guilty plea, the solicitor's denial that the swallowed item was crack cocaine, the accused's previous convictions and addiction treatment wait, and the adjournment for written evidence before sentencing. The year 2023 is inferred from 'November 30 last' and the January 2024 publication date.
accused, Simon Whelan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon Whelan - 15 Jan2024Claim that man swallowed crack cocaine during drug search on Kildare-Offaly border is denied
Adds the defence account that the swallowed item was a Tranex tablet, not crack cocaine, the prosecution's 61 previous convictions, and the adjournment to 17 January 2024 for evidence of a treatment bed and a timeline. The judge said he would impose the suspended six-month sentence unless that evidence was provided.
accused, Simon Whelan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon Whelan - 15 Jan2024Claim that man swallowed crack cocaine during Offaly drug search is denied
Court report: the solicitor denied the crack cocaine claim and said the item was a Tranex tablet. The judge adjourned the matter to Wednesday 17 January for written evidence on treatment and said he would impose the suspended six-month sentence unless that evidence was provided.
accused, Simon Whelan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon Whelan