Ireland Limerick man jailed for 40 months over east Clare cocaine
Alan King, a 45-year-old father of two, had a property at Tuamgraney in east Clare searched by gardaí on 28 June 2025, when they found cocaine worth €208,222 wrapped in three covered bricks in the boot of a BMW. King pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine worth over €13,000 for sale or supply, and in his interview he said he was minding the drugs for someone else to cover a debt. On 11 August 2026 Judge Francis Comerford at Ennis Circuit Court imposed a 48-month prison term with the final eight months suspended, giving credit for four months served on remand, which leaves an effective term of 40 months.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Aug
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí found cocaine worth €208,222, wrapped in three covered bricks, in the boot of a BMW car.
- Where
- The cocaine was found at a property at Tuamgraney in east Clare, the accused's address.
- When
- The offence took place on 28 June 2025.
- Investigation
- At interview King said he did not own the cocaine and was minding it for someone else to cover a drugs debt.
- Charges
- King pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with a market value over €13,000 for sale or supply.
- In court
- The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford.
- Sentence
- King was given a 48-month prison term with the final eight months suspended, leaving an effective term of 40 months.
- The judge gave credit for four months King had already served on remand.
- Other details
- The judge described the high value of the cocaine as an aggravating factor.
- The judge accepted that King was storing the drugs for someone rather than being part of a criminal operation.
- Mitigation included the absence of serious criminal convictions.
- King is described in the reports as a 45-year-old father of two of San Giovanni, Callahy, Tuamgraney, Co Clare.
- Sources differ on his origin: one headline calls him a Limerick man, while the article text gives an address in Co Clare.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe cocaine was wrapped in three covered bricks and valued at €208,222. (clareecho.ie)
- whatAlan King pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine worth over €13,000 for sale or supply. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereGardaí searched a property in east Clare and found cocaine in the boot of a BMW. (clareecho.ie)
- whereGardaí found over €200,000 worth of cocaine in the boot of a BMW on a property in east Clare. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on June 28, 2025, at the accused's address in Tuamgraney. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe offence took place at his address on June 28, 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationAt interview, King said he did not own the cocaine and was minding it for someone else to cover a drugs debt. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeKing pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine worth over €13,000 for sale or supply. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford. (clareecho.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceKing was sentenced to a 48-month prison term with the final eight months suspended. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceThe judge gave credit for four months King had already served on remand. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceKing was given a 48-month prison term with the final eight months suspended. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge gave credit for four months served on remand. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge described the high value of the drugs as an aggravating factor. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe judge accepted that King was storing the drugs for someone rather than being part of a criminal operation. (clareecho.ie)
- otherMitigation included the absence of serious criminal convictions. (clareecho.ie)
- otherKing said he did not own the cocaine and was minding it for someone else to cover a drugs debt. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said the high value of the cocaine was an aggravating factor. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge accepted King was storing the drugs for someone rather than being part of a criminal operation. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Aug2026Judge jails Limerick man for 40 months over east Clare cocaine swoop
Reports the sentencing of Alan King at Ennis Circuit Court, including the 48-month term with eight months suspended, the remand credit, and the judge's comments on his role in the offence.
convicted, Alan King, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan King - 11 Aug2026Judge jails Tuamgraney father of two for 40 months after cocaine swoop - Clare Echo
Reports the sentencing of Alan King at Ennis Circuit Court, including the judge's remarks on the value of the drugs, his role, and his mitigation. The incident date given in the article is June 28th 2025.
convicted, Alan King, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan King