Ireland Former radio newsreader jailed over €270,000 drugs in Kinsale case
Gardaí recovered 2.2kg of cocaine, 2.8kg of cannabis and 950g of MDMA, with a street value of €270,000, at a property in Kinsale, Co Cork, on October 27th, 2017, in a case linked to a drug debt. Pearse McCarthy (52), a former radio newsreader and presenter, was arrested in August 2021. In April he pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to having cannabis, cocaine and MDMA for sale or supply, and Judge Helen Boyle departed from the mandatory 10-year sentence because of his plea. The latest development, reported on May 19th, 2023, is that he was jailed, with the headline saying eight years and the article body saying nine years with the last year suspended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Pearse McCarthy, a man aged 52, is a former radio newsreader and presenter.
- Where
- The offence took place at a property in Kinsale, Co Cork.
- When
- The offence happened on October 27th, 2017.
- Cause
- McCarthy became involved in dealing arising out of a drug debt.
- Weapon
- No weapon is mentioned in the facts.
- Investigation
- Gardaí recovered 2.2kg of cocaine, 2.8kg of cannabis and 950g of MDMA.
- After a lengthy review, gardaí determined that McCarthy was behind the controlling and distribution of the drugs.
- McCarthy was arrested in August 2021.
- Charges
- McCarthy pleaded guilty to having cannabis, cocaine and MDMA for sale or supply.
- He faced a mandatory sentence of 10 years because the drugs seized were worth over €10,000.
- In court
- He voluntarily came before Cork Circuit Criminal Court in April on a signed plea of guilty.
- Judge Helen Boyle said she could depart from the mandatory figure because of his guilty plea and his full co-operation with gardaí.
- Sentence
- The headline says he was jailed for eight years, while the article body says Judge Boyle jailed him for nine years with the last year suspended.
- Other details
- The judge described his role as a mid-ranking role in an organised criminal enterprise.
- McCarthy handled the logistics of transporting the drugs and used burner phones to conceal his behaviour.
- He admitted handling 90 to 100 kilos of drugs with a street value of up to €2 million over two and a half to three years.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe offence took place at a property in Kinsale, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence happened on October 27th, 2017. (irishtimes.com)
- causeHe became involved in dealing arising out of a drug debt. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí recovered 2.2kg of cocaine, 2.8kg of cannabis and 950g of MDMA. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí determined after a lengthy review that McCarthy was behind the controlling and distribution of the drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHe was arrested in August 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to having cannabis, cocaine and MDMA for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe faced a mandatory sentence of 10 years because the drugs seized were worth over €10,000. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe voluntarily came before Cork Circuit Criminal Court in April on a signed plea of guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Helen Boyle said she was able to depart from the mandatory figure because of his guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was jailed for eight years, according to the headline. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Boyle jailed him for nine years, suspending the last year of the sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described his role as a mid ranking role in an organised criminal enterprise. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe drugs had a street value of €270,000. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcCarthy handled the logistics of transporting the drugs and used burner phones to conceal his behaviour. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe admitted handling 90 to 100 kilos of drugs with a street value of up to €2 million over two and a half to three years. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 19 May2023Former newsreader and radio presenter jailed after €270,000 drugs haul
Reports the sentencing of Pearse McCarthy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, with Judge Helen Boyle departing from the mandatory 10-year term. The headline says jailed for eight years, but the body says nine years with the last year suspended. Gives details of his role in an organised criminal enterprise and the arrest in August 2021.
convicted, Pearse McCarthy, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Pearse McCarthy