Ireland Man jailed for three years over cannabis possession in Dublin
On 3 June 2024, 14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a black suitcase at a house on St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, after CCTV showed Matthew Jenkinson, a 27-year-old man, arriving in a white Ford Focus carrying the suitcase. Jenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply, indicating a drug debt of around €10,000 as a factor in his offending. His co-accused, who took ownership of the suitcase, was jailed for two years and nine months. On 4 November 2026, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Jenkinson to three years' imprisonment, a departure from the 10-year presumptive mandatory minimum, citing his early guilty plea, no prior convictions, and low reoffending risk.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Nov
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- 14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a large black suitcase at a house on St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.
- CCTV showed a white Ford Focus arriving at the property and Jenkinson exiting the vehicle carrying the suitcase.
- The co-accused took ownership of the suitcase containing the cannabis.
- Jenkinson made no admissions about the drugs but accepted ownership of the van when interviewed by gardaí.
- When
- The incident occurred on 3 June 2024.
- Cause
- Jenkinson indicated he had a drug debt of around €10,000 that was a factor in his offending.
- Investigation
- A hard drive containing CCTV footage was seized from the property, and Garda Philip Lavery gave evidence at sentencing.
- Charges
- Jenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply.
- In court
- Judge Martin Nolan presided; Simon Matthews BL prosecuted and Michael Bowman SC defended.
- Sentence
- Jenkinson was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, a departure from the 10-year presumptive mandatory minimum.
- The co-accused was jailed for two years and nine months.
- Other details
- Jenkinson has no relevant previous convictions, works as an electrician, is assessed at low risk of reoffending, and completed a drug rehabilitation programme.
32 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra on 3 June 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- what14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a large black suitcase at the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA white Ford Focus arrived at the property earlier that day and Jenkinson exited carrying the suitcase. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe co-accused took ownership of the suitcase containing the cannabis. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatJenkinson made no admissions about the drugs but accepted ownership of the van when interviewed by gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJenkinson has no relevant previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatJenkinson works as an electrician. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatJenkinson is assessed at low risk of reoffending. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJenkinson developed addiction issues at a young age and completed a drug rehabilitation programme. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatUrine analysis is clean of all substances and he continues to engage with supports to maintain sobriety. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJenkinson has an offer of work open to him upon release from custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMatthew Jenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply (dublinlive.ie)
- what14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a large black suitcase (dublinlive.ie)
- whatCCTV showed a white Ford Focus arriving at the property earlier that day (dublinlive.ie)
- whatJenkinson exited the vehicle carrying the large black suitcase to the property (dublinlive.ie)
- whatJenkinson made no admissions about the drugs but accepted ownership of the van (dublinlive.ie)
- whatGarda Philip Lavery said Jenkinson is more culpable than the co-accused (dublinlive.ie)
- whatCCTV showed Jenkinson sought out the property and brought the cannabis there, where the co-accused stored it (dublinlive.ie)
- whatNo drugs or paraphernalia were found at Jenkinson's home in Swords (dublinlive.ie)
- whatJenkinson has not come to negative garda attention in the last two years (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe probation report is positive and Jenkinson is assessed at low risk of reoffending (dublinlive.ie)
- whatUrine analysis is clean of all substances (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe drug debt was in the region of €10,000 (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe cannabis was found at a house on St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra (dublinlive.ie)
- causeJenkinson indicated he had a drug debt that was a factor in his offending. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGarda Philip Lavery gave evidence at the sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA hard drive containing CCTV footage was seized from the property. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan presided over the sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSimon Matthews BL prosecuted and Michael Bowman SC defended. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe co-accused was jailed for two years and nine months. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceJenkinson was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe presumptive mandatory minimum sentence for the offence was 10 years. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Nov2026Man jailed after €290,000 cannabis delivery to Dublin house
Provides full detail of the sentencing hearing: the judge's reasoning on coercion and the drug debt, the co-accused's sentence of two years and nine months, mitigation including a positive probation report, drug rehabilitation, and a clean urine test, and the departure from the 10-year presumptive minimum.
convicted, Matthew Jenkinson, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matthew Jenkinsonconvicted - 4 Nov2026Man who delivered €290k of cannabis to Dublin house jailed
Sentencing report: Jenkinson received three years, a departure from the 10-year mandatory minimum, due to his early guilty plea and mitigation including a drug debt of around €10,000, no prior convictions, low reoffending risk, and completion of a rehabilitation programme. The judge found he was 'coerced' into carrying the drugs.
convicted, Matthew Jenkinson, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matthew Jenkinsonconvicted