Ireland Former security guard sentenced over €79,000 cannabis transport in Ballyfermot
On 1 August 2020 at Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, a black bag containing 3.96kg of cannabis with a street value of €79,204 was handed to Christopher Nugent, a 39-year-old man, by a co-accused after a white BMW pulled in behind his car. Gardaí had set up surveillance after receiving confidential information, and Nugent was arrested and interviewed, though no evidence of value was obtained. Nugent initially took a trial date but later pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of possessing cannabis for sale or supply. The co-accused, who is not named in the sources, also received four and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended in October 2021. In October 2023 Judge Orla Crowe imposed four and a half years on Nugent, with the final 12 months suspended for two years on strict conditions.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Christopher Nugent, a man aged 39, was involved in transporting cannabis worth over €79,000.
- A co-accused handed Nugent a black bag after a white BMW pulled in behind his car.
- The bag held 3.96kg of cannabis in four wrapped packages with a street value of €79,204.
- Where
- The offence took place at Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin.
- When
- The offence took place on 1 August 2020.
- Investigation
- Gardaí set up surveillance after receiving confidential information.
- Analysis found the cannabis to be low grade.
- Nugent was arrested and interviewed, but no evidence of value was obtained.
- Charges
- Nugent pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cannabis for sale or supply.
- In court
- Nugent initially took a trial date before entering a guilty plea at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Orla Crowe imposed four and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended for two years on strict conditions.
- The co-accused, not named in the sources, received four and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended in October 2021.
- Other details
- Aggravating features were the value of the drugs and Nugent's active role in their distribution.
- Nugent lost his job as a security guard due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has 16 previous convictions, mostly road traffic offences dealt with in the District Court.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNugent was involved in transporting cannabis worth over €79,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA co-accused handed Nugent a black bag after a white BMW pulled in behind his car. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe bag contained 3.96kg of cannabis in four wrapped packages, with a street value of €79,204. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offence took place at Drumfinn Road. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence took place on 1 August 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí set up surveillance after receiving confidential information. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAnalysis found the cannabis to be low grade. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNugent was arrested and interviewed, but no evidence of value was obtained. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeNugent pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cannabis for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtNugent entered a guilty plea after initially taking a trial date. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Orla Crowe imposed four and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended for two years on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe co-accused received four and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended in October 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe aggravating features included the value of the drugs and Nugent's active role in their distribution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNugent lost his job as a security guard due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNugent has 16 previous convictions, mostly road traffic offences dealt with in the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Oct2023Security guard for TV and film productions becomes a character in his own Love/Hate after transporting drugs
Sentencing report for a specific Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case. Adds the defendant's age, the seizure details, the sentence, the co-accused's sentence and the mitigating and aggravating factors.
convicted, Christopher Nugent, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Nugentconvicted