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. 16839Possession of cannabis · Co. Longford · 29 Mar 2021

Longford man given suspended sentence for cannabis possession

Michael O'Leary, a man from Longford town, faced three charges of possessing cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which were alleged to have occurred on March 29, 2021. At Longford District Court, Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a five-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months on one charge, with the other two taken into consideration. The judge said he was at a high risk of reoffending and told him to work with the probation service. The Longford Leader reported the sentence in late June 2024, after the hearing the previous week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
  • The case was heard at Longford District Court.
  • Michael O'Leary's address is given as 9 Camlin Meadows.
When
The offences were alleged to have occurred on March 29, 2021.
Charges
  • Michael O'Leary faced three charges of possessing cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
  • The Longford Leader's headline and lede describe possession with intent of sale or supply, but the charges listed are possession of cannabis.
In court
  • Judge Bernadette Owens said Michael O'Leary was at a high risk of reoffending.
  • The judge told Michael O'Leary to work with the probation service.
  • His solicitor, Brid Mimnagh, told the court he was doing his best and was the anchor of his family.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed a five-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months on one charge.
  • The other two charges were taken into consideration.
Other details
Sources give the publication date as June 26, 2024 in one place and June 28, 2024 in another.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe case was heard at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereMichael O’Leary's address is given as 9 Camlin Meadows. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences were alleged to have occurred on March 29, 2021. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeMichael O’Leary faced three charges of possessing cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens said Michael O’Leary was at a high risk of reoffending. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge told Michael O’Leary to work with the probation service. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a five-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months on one charge. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor, Brid Mimnagh, said he was doing his best. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe other two charges were taken into consideration. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jun2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford District Court: Suspended sentence for possession of drugs

    Court report of sentencing. The lede describes the case as possession of drugs with intent of sale or supply, but the charges listed in the article are three counts of possessing cannabis. Two of the three charges were taken into consideration.

    convicted, Michael O'Leary, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael O'Leary