Harry Dinan pleads guilty to drug dealing at Ennis Circuit Court
Harry Dinan, a man of 44, pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court to possessing cannabis with a market value in excess of €13,000 for the purpose of selling, contrary to Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. The cannabis was found at Ballybeg Woods, Ennis, on 14 November 2022. Dinan, who was released from prison in November 2015 after serving six years for the 2009 manslaughter of Lissycasey school teacher Brian Casey, was remanded on continuing bail by Judge Francis Comerford to 28 May for sentence. The case had been adjourned the previous month while Dinan sought a new legal team, and he apologised to the court for the disruption. Section 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, though a judge may impose a lesser term in certain circumstances.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted26 Mar
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Harry Dinan pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with a market value in excess of €13,000 for the purpose of selling under Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
- Where
- The cannabis was found at Ballybeg Woods, Ennis, County Clare.
- When
- The offence occurred on 14 November 2022.
- In court
- The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court.
- Judge Francis Comerford remanded Dinan on continuing bail to 28 May for sentence.
- Sentence
- Section 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, though a judge may impose a lesser sentence in certain circumstances.
- Other details
- Harry Dinan was released from prison in November 2015 after serving six years for the manslaughter of Lissycasey school teacher Brian Casey, who died on 26 December 2009.
- Brian Casey was killed in an unprovoked assault by Harry Dinan and his nephew Kevin Dinan, with Casey struck by a severe haymaker punch from Dinan.
- Judge Gerald Keys reduced Dinan's eight-month term for a 2018 drugs offence to six months on appeal in 2019.
- The case was adjourned the previous month because Dinan was seeking a new legal team, and he apologised to the court for the disruption.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe cannabis was found at Ballybeg Woods, Ennis. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offence occurred on 14 November 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenBrian Casey died on 26 December 2009. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeBrian Casey was killed in an unprovoked assault by Harry Dinan and his nephew Kevin Dinan. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponBrian Casey was struck by a severe haymaker punch from Harry Dinan. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHarry Dinan pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with a market value in excess of €13,000 for the purpose of selling. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Francis Comerford remanded Dinan on continuing bail to 28 May for sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSection 15(a) carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, but a judge may impose a lesser sentence in certain circumstances. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Gerald Keys reduced Dinan's eight-month term for the 2018 drugs offence to six months on appeal in 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherOnly a very small portion of those convicted of Section 15(a) drug dealing offences receive the 10-year sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHarry Dinan was released from prison in November 2015 after six years for the manslaughter of Brian Casey. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe case could not be dealt with last month because Dinan was looking for a new legal team. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDinan's counsel Patrick Whyms (BL), instructed by solicitor Tara Godfrey, said Dinan revoked his position about changing his legal presentation. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHarry Dinan apologised to the court for the disruption caused the previous day. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Mar2025Convicted killer of Clare school teacher pleads guilty to drug dealing
First report of Dinan's guilty plea to the Section 15(a) drug dealing charge; also provides background on his 2009 manslaughter conviction for the death of Brian Casey and a 2018 cannabis possession offence.
convicted, Harry Dinan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Harry Dinan