Saturday 31 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. 21073Cannabis possession · Co. Meath · 5 Sep 2017

Longford man remanded in custody after failing to engage with probation services

On September 5, 2017, gardaí chased a car at high speed in the Danesfort area of Navan, Co Meath, and a kilogramme of cannabis was thrown from its window. Joe Mears (30) and John Doyle (41) were convicted of the offence, though sources differ on whether Mears pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply or was convicted of cannabis possession at Longford Circuit Court in 2022. In May 2023, Judge John Brennan at Athlone District Court ordered over €7,000 seized in a Longford raid returned to the applicants, including Mears. Mears was later remanded in custody after failing to engage with probation training or secure work, and he is to appear on May 18, when the judge will finalise matters.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí chased a car at high speed, and a kilogramme of cannabis was thrown from its window.
Where
  • The offence took place in the Danesfort area of Navan, Co Meath.
  • The search was listed at numbers 1 to 5 Richmond Court, Longford, but the State accepted that gardaí had no warrant to search number 7, where the alleged drugs were found.
When
The offence is dated September 5, 2017.
Investigation
Officers found a Tesco bag containing two packs of cannabis weighing 987.4 grams, valued at €19,750, and about €7,300 in cash was seized.
Charges
  • Mears was reported to have pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply, while another report says he was convicted of cannabis possession at Longford Circuit Court in 2022.
  • Mears and John Doyle were convicted of the offence from September 5, 2017, before Judge Keenan Johnson.
In court
  • Judge John Brennan affirmed an order returning over €7,000 in cash to the applicants, Joe Doyle, Darren Doyle and Joe Mears, at a sitting of Athlone District Court.
  • The State did not provide sufficient proof that the suspected cocaine and cannabis were illegal drugs, and the judge found in favour of the applicants.
  • Concerns about the validity of a search warrant used in the operation were heard earlier in the court process.
  • In January, Judge Johnson said he would consider his options if Mears came before the court with a job by the May sitting, and Judge Connolly later said his work experience did not meet those conditions and adjourned the matter.
  • Judge Johnson noted Mears had not attended training recommended by Probation Services and said he was fed up giving him one more chance, while defence counsel said he was looking for one more chance.
  • Mears was remanded in custody to appear on May 18, when Judge Johnson will finalise matters.
Other details
  • Mears has two previous convictions, one for violent disorder and one for possession of a firearm.
  • Defence counsel said Mears's father had recently died, that he now helps care for his six siblings, and that he had secured work experience in a local tyre depot.
Sentence
Mears is reported to be sentenced at Longford Circuit Criminal Court the following week.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA court ordered the return of over €7,000 in cash seized in a raid on a premises in Longford town. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe conviction related to a high speed chase by gardaí in which a kilogramme of cannabis was thrown out of a car window. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe search was carried out in numbers 1 to 5, Richmond Court, Longford. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place in the Danesfort area of Navan. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offence dates from September 5, 2017. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationSuspected cocaine and cannabis were seized in a garda raid almost 12 months before the ruling. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationOfficers found a Tesco bag containing two packs of cannabis weighing 987.4 grams, valued at €19,750. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeMears pleaded guilty last year to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Danestown, Balrath, Navan, Co Meath, in September 2017. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeJoe Mears was convicted of cannabis possession at Longford Circuit Court the previous year. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge John Brennan affirmed the order at a sitting of Athlone District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe State did not provide sufficient proof that the suspected drugs were illegal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe court had earlier heard concerns about the validity of a search warrant used in the operation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe State accepted that gardaí did not have a warrant to search number 7, where the alleged drugs were found. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge found in favour of the applicants and ordered the return of the money to both parties. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson said in January he would consider his options if the defendant came before the court with a job by the May sitting. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Connolly said the defendant's work experience did not meet the conditions Judge Johnson imposed and adjourned the matter. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson noted the defendant had not attended training courses recommended by Probation Services. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson said he was fed up with giving the defendant one more chance. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was remanded in custody to appear on May 18, when Judge Johnson will finalise matters. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMears is to be sentenced at Longford Circuit Criminal Court the following week. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherApproximately €7,300 in cash was seized by gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMears has two previous convictions, one for violent disorder and one for possession of a firearm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had secured work experience in a local tyre depot. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said Mr Mears's father had recently died and he now helps care for his six siblings. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said Mr Mears was looking for one more chance. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 May2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man on drugs charge who failed to secure employment remanded in custody by judge

    Reports the remand in custody of Joe Mears at Longford Circuit Court after a judge reviewed his failure to engage with probation training, and gives background on the 2017 cannabis possession conviction.

    convicted, Joe Mears, 30, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Mearsconvicted, John Doyle, 41, named, irish (judged from name)John Doyle
  2. 12 May2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Judge orders that thousands of euro seized by Midlands garda be handed back

    Adds a court ruling in a related proceeding: return of seized cash to the applicants, including Joe Mears, and the sentencing date for Mears's guilty plea. The article places the cash seizure in Longford and the drugs offence in Navan, Co Meath, in September 2017 without giving a day. The match to case 21073 rests on Joe Mears, Navan and September 2017.

    convicted, Joe Mears, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Mears