Case No. 2771Possession of controlled drugs for sale or supply (cocaine and cannabis) · Co. Limerick · 26 Apr 2021
Former soldier John Earls jailed for six years over €400k cocaine and cannabis possession in Limerick
John Earls, 58, a former Irish Defence Forces soldier, was sentenced to six years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for possessing over €323,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply after managing a large-scale drug distribution network from Limerick. Judge Colin Daly reduced the 10-year headline sentence in light of Earls' early guilty plea, age, and medical history.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced10 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEarls was managing a major drug dealing operation from Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHis car was carrying over a kilo of cannabis valued at over €19,000. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA second kilo of cannabis was seized from another car driven by a man who had met up with Earls. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOver €118,000 worth of cannabis was found in the flat. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMore than €166,000 worth of cocaine was found in the flat. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe drugs were locked in safes in the flat and Earls had the keys. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereEarls had an address at Ballykeeffe Estate, Dooradoyle, Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereEarls was intercepted at a car park in Corbally, Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereEarls was using a flat at Henry Street, Limerick, as a drugs storehouse. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe arrest took place on 26 April 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeEarls pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of drugs worth €323,663.05 for sale or supply. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeEach count carries a maximum life sentence and a mandatory minimum of ten years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls is a father of three who has been disowned by his family. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls is one of nine siblings. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls served in the Irish Defence Forces for three and a half years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls suffered an injury and is in receipt of a disability payment. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls is diagnosed with epilepsy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls had previously worked as a taxi driver and plays a musical instrument in a band. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEarls had four minor unrelated and historic previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Dec2024Ex-soldier jailed after admitting possession of €400k of cocaine and cannabis
Sentencing hearing details including the judge's reasoning for reducing the mandatory 10-year minimum to six years, background on Earls' military service and health, and details of the intelligence-led operation that led to his arrest.
convicted, John Earls, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Earls