Thursday 29 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. 9484Drugs for sale or supply · Co. Kilkenny · 27 Sep 2023

Kilkenny man jailed over €7,000 cannabis found in bedroom

Gardaí executed a search warrant at John Costello's property at St Judes, Ballykeoghan, Kilmacow, County Kilkenny, on 27 September 2023 and found a bag of cannabis in a bedroom. Costello was charged with having drugs for sale or supply, and reports give the value of the cannabis as more than €7,000. He pleaded guilty, and Judge McMullen at Kilkenny Circuit Court imposed two years in prison with the final year suspended, as reported on 21 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John Costello was charged with having drugs for sale or supply, worth thousands of euro.
Where
The cannabis was found at Costello's property at St Judes, Ballykeoghan, Kilmacow, County Kilkenny.
When
Gardaí executed a search warrant at the property on 27 September 2023.
Cause
Gardaí were investigating drug-related matters in the summer of 2023.
Investigation
  • Costello led gardaí to a bedroom containing a large bag of green plant material.
  • Costello made a voluntary, cautioned statement admitting the substance was cannabis.
  • Testing showed 373.5g of cannabis valued at €7,500, while reports also describe the find as more than €7,000.
  • Gardaí also found deal bags and electric weighing scales during the search.
Charges
Costello was charged following the discovery of the cannabis and pleaded guilty to the charge.
In court
Kilkenny Circuit Court dealt with the case and was reported on 21 May 2026.
Sentence
  • Judge McMullen said the headline sentence was four years, reduced to two years with mitigation.
  • Two years in prison were imposed with the final year suspended, on conditions including keeping the peace and attending Probation Service appointments.
Other details
Costello had five previous convictions, including drug possession and drugs for sale or supply charges, and the judge accepted he had a limited and subordinate role in the organisation.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereMore than €7,000 worth of cannabis was found on Costello's property. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenGardaí executed a search warrant at Costello's property on 27 September 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationCostello led gardaí to a bedroom where there was a large bag of plant material. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationCostello made a voluntary, cautioned statement admitting the substance was cannabis. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationTesting showed the cannabis weighed 373.5g and was valued at €7,500. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí also found deal bags and electric weighing scales during the search. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeCostello was convicted of having thousands of euro of drugs for sale or supply. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceKilkenny Circuit Court imposed the penalty on John Costello, who had pleaded guilty to the charge. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the headline sentence was four years, reduced to two years with mitigation. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceJudge McMullen imposed two years in prison with the final year suspended, on conditions including keeping the peace and attending Probation Service appointments. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherCostello had five previous convictions, including drug possession and drugs for sale or supply charges. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge accepted Costello had a limited and subordinate role in the organisation. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 May2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    €7,000 bag of cannabis in bedroom of Kilkenny house - man jailed

    Reports the sentencing of John Costello at Kilkenny Circuit Court, including the sentence length, his previous convictions, and the judge's reasoning. The cannabis was found during a search on 27 September 2023.

    convicted, John Costello, 60s, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Costello