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. 10841Drug possession, possession for sale or supply, and money laundering · Co. Longford · 4 Oct 2022

Longford man jailed for 15 months over drugs and cash found at home

On 4 October 2022 Gardaí searched a home in the Congress Terrace area of Longford town under warrant and found suspected cocaine, cannabis, weighing scales and €27,703 in cash. Martin McDonagh, 37, from Congress Terrace, pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to drug possession, possession for sale or supply, and money laundering, though one article refers to him as Mr Devaney. The judge imposed two years, with the final nine months suspended for two years on conditions, so the effective term is 15 months, as reported on 22 February 2026 and updated on 24 February 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
Gardaí searched a home under warrant in the Congress Terrace area of Longford town.
When
The offences were committed on 4 October 2022.
What happened
Martin McDonagh, 37, from Congress Terrace in Longford town, was the defendant, though one article refers to Mr Devaney.
Investigation
  • Gardaí found a glass jar containing suspected cocaine and a bag of cannabis on the kitchen table.
  • Weighing scales with cannabis residue were recovered from the kitchen counter.
  • €27,703 in cash was found in a plastic zip-locked pouch on the bedroom door.
Other details
  • The total value of the drugs was given as €2,597 in one source and about €2,500 in the article.
  • The defendant had 13 previous convictions.
Charges
He pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to drug possession, possession for sale or supply, and money laundering.
In court
  • The judge said the offence was at the higher end of the lower end of the scale.
  • The sentence was reported on 22 February 2026 and updated on 24 February 2026.
Sentence
He was sentenced to two years, with the final nine months suspended for two years on conditions, an effective term of 15 months.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereGardaí searched a home under warrant in the Congress Terrace area of Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences were committed on October 4, 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found a glass jar containing suspected cocaine, and a bag of cannabis was on the kitchen table. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationWeighing scales with cannabis residue were recovered from the kitchen counter. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA sum of €27,703 in cash was found in a plastic zip-locked pouch on the bedroom door. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, sale or supply of drugs, and money laundering. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the offence was at the higher end of the lower end of the scale. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was jailed for two years, with the final nine months suspended for two years on conditions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe total value of the drugs was €2,597. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 13 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Feb2026
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man found with drugs and almost €28,000 in cash jailed for 15 months

    Sentencing report. The court imposed two years, suspended for the final nine months on conditions, so the effective custodial term is 15 months. The article also reports the defendant had 13 previous convictions.

    convicted, Martin McDonagh, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin McDonagh