Ireland Man given suspended sentence over crack cocaine in Portlaoise
James Heffernan, 27, a man, was stopped by gardaí in Lyster Square, Portlaoise, on 23 December 2022 and told he would be searched. After he ran and was arrested, benzodiazepine tablets were found, and a package of crack cocaine was retrieved at Portlaoise Garda Station after a struggle. He had earlier pleaded guilty to charges from the arrest, and Judge Andrew Cody first jailed him for two months before, on appeal, imposing a four-month sentence suspended for three years. The latest report, published 19 September 2023, says he admitted drug possession and obstruction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 Sep
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man admitted obstructing gardaí and having crack cocaine in Portlaoise.
- Where
- The offences took place at Lyster Square and Portlaoise Garda Station.
- When
- The offences took place on 23 December 2022.
- Cause
- Gardaí stopped the man at Christmas time in Lyster Square and told him he would be searched.
- Investigation
- The man ran but was arrested after a chase, and benzodiazepine tablets were found.
- At the garda station he refused to open his mouth, and gardaí retrieved a package of crack cocaine after a struggle.
- Charges
- He admitted drug possession and obstruction.
- In court
- He had previously pleaded guilty to charges arising from his arrest in December 2022.
- His solicitor said he needed to get into a residential treatment facility.
- Sentence
- Judge Andrew Cody initially jailed the man for two months.
- On appeal, the judge imposed a four-month sentence and suspended it for three years.
- Other details
- The defendant had 52 previous convictions.
- The value of the drugs on the date was €250.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man admitted obstructing gardaí and having crack cocaine in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at Lyster Square and Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on December 23, 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeGardaí stopped the man at Christmas time in Lyster Square and told him he would be searched. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe man ran but was arrested after a chase, and benzodiazepine tablets were found. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationAt the garda station, he refused to open his mouth, and gardaí retrieved a package of crack cocaine after a struggle. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe admitted drug possession and obstruction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe had previously pleaded guilty to charges arising from his arrest in December 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHis solicitor said he needed to get into a residential treatment facility. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Andrew Cody initially jailed the man for two months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceOn appeal, the judge imposed a four-month sentence and suspended it for three years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant had 52 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe value of the drugs on the date was €250. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Sep2023Caught with crack cocaine in Portlaoise
Sentencing report. Case 8697 concerns a different James Heffernan incident on 4 January 2023 (possession for sale or supply, aged 30), so it is not the same case. This article adds the 2022 incident, the plea, the sentence and the previous convictions.
convicted, James Heffernan, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Heffernan