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. 15899Possession of cannabis · Co. Limerick · 4 Apr 2023

Man pleads guilty to cannabis possession after €680 seized from car in Limerick

On April 4, 2023, at around 2.30am, gardaí on mobile patrol saw a car parked at a filling station in Dromkeen, County Limerick. After speaking to the driver and noticing a strong smell of cannabis, they searched the vehicle, found cannabis worth €680, and arrested the driver, who was taken to Bruff garda station. John Rainsford, aged 27, of Newtown, Caherconlish, pleaded guilty at Kilmallock Court to possession of cannabis contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, as reported on October 4, 2024. The defence reserved mitigation and applied for a Probation Service report, and the judge adjourned the matter to December 17, when sentencing is still pending.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
Gardaí on mobile patrol observed the car at around 2.30am on April 4, 2023.
Where
The car was parked at a filling station in Dromkeen, County Limerick.
Investigation
  • Gardaí spoke to the driver of the car and noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
  • Gardaí searched the vehicle and found cannabis worth €680.
  • The driver was arrested and taken to Bruff garda station.
What happened
John Rainsford, aged 27, of Newtown, Caherconlish, is the man who pleaded guilty in the case.
Charges
Rainsford pleaded guilty at Kilmallock Court to possession of cannabis contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In court
  • The defence solicitor reserved mitigation and applied for a Probation Service report.
  • The judge adjourned the matter to December 17.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported yet, as sentencing was adjourned pending the probation report.
Other details
According to the prosecution, Rainsford has no previous convictions.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe car was parked at a filling station in Dromkeen. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí on mobile patrol observed the car at around 2.30am on April 4, 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí spoke to the driver and noticed a strong smell of cannabis. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the vehicle and found cannabis worth €680. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe driver was arrested and taken to Bruff garda station. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeRainsford pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe defence solicitor reserved mitigation and applied for a Probation Service report. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to December 17. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherRainsford has no previous convictions, according to the prosecution. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Oct2024
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick gardai discover €680 of cannabis in vehicle

    Court report of a guilty plea by John Rainsford to possessing cannabis found in a car at a Dromkeen filling station. Sentencing was adjourned to December 17 pending a probation report.

    accused, John Rainsford, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Rainsford