Wednesday 28 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. 6800Drug possession (cocaine) · Co. Dublin · 15 Apr 2022

Electrician sentenced to 5½ years over €1.7m of cocaine found in van in Dublin

On 15 April 2022, gardaí stopped an untaxed van driven by Karl Lawlor (40), an electrician, and found just under 25kg of cocaine valued at €1.74 million in the back, on St Cuthbert's Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Lawlor was arrested and later pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs. Dublin Circuit Court heard the case, and Judge Martin Nolan considered mitigating factors, including Lawlor's lack of previous convictions. As reported on 11 January 2024, Lawlor was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí found packages in the back of an untaxed van containing just under 25kg of cocaine valued at €1.74 million.
Where
The drugs were found on St Cuthbert's Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
When
The offence occurred on 15 April 2022.
Cause
Gardaí stopped the van because a registration check showed it was not taxed.
Investigation
Gardaí noticed a strong smell of cannabis on the driver, Karl Lawlor (40), an electrician.
Other details
  • Gardaí said to Lawlor on arrest: "You're not a master drug dealer, are you?" He replied: "Not driving around in a van with no tax, I'm not."
  • Lawlor admitted possessing €220 worth of cannabis on the same occasion, which he said was for his own use.
  • Lawlor told gardaí he had a drug debt of €7,000.
Charges
Lawlor pleaded guilty to possessing the cocaine.
In court
  • The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Court.
  • The judge took mitigating factors into account, including Lawlor's lack of previous convictions.
Sentence
Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Lawlor to five and a half years in prison.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí found packages in the back of the van containing just under 25kg of cocaine valued at €1.74 million. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí stopped the van because a registration check showed it was not taxed. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí noticed a strong smell of cannabis on the driver. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge took mitigating factors into account, including Lawlor’s lack of previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Martin Nolan sentenced Lawlor to five and a half years in prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLawlor admitted possessing €220 worth of cannabis on the same occasion, which he said was for his own use. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLawlor told gardaí he had a drug debt of €7,000. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jan2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man caught with €1.7m of cocaine in untaxed van accepted he was ‘not a master drug dealer’

    Court sentencing report. Adds the sentence of 5½ years, the guilty plea, the cannabis possession, and the mitigation the judge considered.

    convicted, Karl Lawlor, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Karl Lawlor