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. 6223Theft · Co. Dublin · 12 Dec 2021

Garda jailed for stealing cannabis exhibit from Store Street station

On 12 December 2021 at Store Street Garda station in Dublin, Garda Holly Lane, a 34-year-old woman, was alleged to have stolen a €70 cannabis exhibit that another officer had seized earlier that month, and a sergeant confirmed she was drunk on duty. Lane denied theft, unlawful possession and possession for sale or supply of cannabis. After a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court, Judge John Hughes found her guilty on 25 March 2024. Lane was sentenced to nine months with the final three suspended, meaning six months in jail, on condition that she complete two years of supervised probation and counselling for alcohol and drug addiction. The judge set appeal bail at €500 in case she challenges the verdict or sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Mar
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Garda Holly Lane, a 34-year-old woman, was alleged to have stolen a €70 cannabis exhibit seized by another officer.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Store Street Garda station in Dublin.
When
The alleged offences took place on 12 December 2021.
Cause
A sergeant confirmed that Lane was drunk on duty.
Investigation
  • Colleagues found a half bottle of vodka in Lane's bag while looking for her car keys.
  • Another garda had seized the cannabis earlier that month.
Charges
Lane denied theft, unlawful possession and possession for sale or supply of cannabis.
In court
  • Judge John Hughes found Lane guilty after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court on 25 March 2024.
  • The judge did not accept Lane's account and said she held a significant position of trust and power as a garda.
Sentence
  • Lane was sentenced to nine months with the final three months suspended, meaning six months in jail.
  • The suspended part is conditional on two years of supervised probation and counselling for alcohol and drug addiction.
Other details
  • A charge of criminal damage to a locker was dismissed for lack of evidence.
  • Lane had been suspended since the incident, and her barrister, David Staunton, said her Garda career is over.
  • Appeal bail was set at €500 if Lane wants to challenge the verdict or sentence.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLane was found drunk at work in a changing room. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA Garda was found guilty of stealing a €70 cannabis exhibit from her station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offences were alleged to have happened at Store Street Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences were alleged to have happened at Store Street station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offences were alleged to have happened on 12 December 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeA sergeant confirmed she was drunk on duty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationColleagues found a half bottle of vodka in Lane's bag when looking for her car keys. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAnother garda had seized the cannabis earlier that month. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLane denied theft, unlawful possession and possession for sale or supply of cannabis. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeShe had denied theft, unlawful possession and possession for sale or supply of cannabis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge John Hughes found Lane guilty after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said Lane was in a significant position of trust and power as a garda. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge John Hughes found her guilty after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge did not accept her account. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceLane was given a six-month jail sentence for stealing a €70 cannabis exhibit. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a nine-month sentence and suspended the final three months. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceLane must remain on supervised probation for two years and attend counselling for alcohol and drug addiction. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceShe was given a nine-month sentence with the final three months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended part was conditional on two years' supervised probation and counselling for alcohol and drug addiction. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLane had been suspended since the date of the incident and her career in the force is over, her barrister said. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge set appeal bail at €500 if Lane wants to challenge the verdict or sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherShe had been suspended since the incident and her barrister said her Garda career is over. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said she was in a significant position of trust and power as a garda. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA charge of criminal damage to a locker was dismissed for lack of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAppeal bail was set at €500. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Garda who stole cannabis from station while drunk and boasted about it jailed

    Reports the sentencing of Garda Holly Lane after a non-jury trial, including the charges, the judge's findings, the suspended portion of the sentence and the probation and counselling conditions.

    convicted, Holly Lane, 34, female, named, irish (judged from name)Holly Lane
  2. 25 Mar2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Garda jailed for stealing €70 cannabis exhibit from station while drunk at work

    First report on this case. Covers the non-jury trial verdict, the sentence and the judge's remarks.

    convicted, Holly Lane, 34, female, named, irish (judged from name)Holly Lane