Friday 30 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. 14106Cannabis cultivation · Co. Donegal · 12 Jun 2016

Letterkenny man fined over cannabis cultivation

On 12 June 2016, gardaí found three cannabis plants and a strong smell of cannabis at the Letterkenny, County Donegal, home of Paul Gallagher, a 47-year-old man, on Glendale Drive. Gallagher was charged with cultivating cannabis, and the defence said the plants were grown as an experiment for personal use. At Letterkenny District Court, Judge Liddy convicted Gallagher and fined him €200, with six months to pay. The latest report, published on 31 March 2025, confirms the conviction and fine.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Paul Gallagher, 47, of Glendale Drive, Letterkenny, was charged with cultivating cannabis plants at his home.
Where
The incident took place at Gallagher's home on Glendale Drive, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
When
The charge relates to an incident on 12 June 2016.
Investigation
  • Officers detected a strong smell of cannabis on the premises.
  • Gardaí observed three cannabis plants on a window sill, and Gallagher admitted they were cannabis.
Cause
The defence said the plants were grown as an experiment, to see how they would turn out, for personal use and were not part of a greater enterprise.
In court
  • The defence said Gallagher was very compliant and gave full admissions, and the court heard he had been working in England and was not evading gardaí.
  • The case was reported by Donegal Live on 31 March 2025.
Other details
Garda Inspector Seamus McGonigle told the court that gardaí were called to a domestic-related incident at Glendale Drive on the date in question.
Sentence
  • Judge Liddy convicted Gallagher and fined him €200.
  • Gallagher was given six months to pay the fine.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Letterkenny man was charged with cultivating cannabis plants at his home. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe man lives on Glendale Drive, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe charge relates to an incident on June 12, 2016. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationOfficers detected a strong smell of cannabis in the premises. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí observed three plants on a window sill, and the defendant admitted they were cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant was charged with cultivating cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defence solicitor said the incident was just experimental and the plants were grown to see how they would turn out. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defence said the incident was not part of a greater enterprise and that the client was very compliant and gave full admissions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe court heard the accused had been in England working and was not evading gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Liddy convicted Gallagher and fined him €200. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceGallagher was given six months to pay the fine. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherGardaí were called to a domestic-related incident at Glendale Drive on the date in question. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Mar2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Letterkenny man charged with cultivating cannabis 'just experimenting', court told

    Court report of a conviction and fine. The offence is from 2016, and the article reports no earlier garda or arrest stage. It also gives the defence's account that the plants were grown for personal use.

    convicted, Paul Gallagher, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Gallagher