Ireland Man pleads guilty to possessing 152kg of cocaine for sale in Kilkenny
On 18 March 2025, gardaí stopped a truck at a petrol station in Kilkenny and found 152kg of cocaine, worth a street value of €10.67 million, in a hidden compartment. The driver and sole occupant, Michael Murphy, a 61-year-old man with an address in Co Waterford, was described in court as allegedly the top man of the logistical operation in a criminal enterprise. On 15 May 2026 at Kilkenny Circuit Court, Murphy pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply to others, and charges of offences with a criminal organisation were taken into consideration. The defence accepted that a sentence of not less than 10 years must be imposed, and the judge adjourned the case to the next sittings of Kilkenny Circuit Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Murphy, a 61-year-old man with an address in Co Waterford, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply to others.
- The drugs seized were 152kg of cocaine with a street value of €10.67 million.
- Where
- The drugs were found in a truck stopped by gardaí at a petrol station in Kilkenny.
- When
- The offence date is 18 March 2025.
- The guilty plea was entered at Kilkenny Circuit Court on 15 May 2026.
- Cause
- The drugs were held in a hidden compartment behind a refrigeration unit in the truck.
- Other details
- Murphy was the driver and sole occupant of the truck on 18 March 2025.
- Murphy was the transport manager of the haulage company Herriot Haulage.
- Murphy is described in court as allegedly the top man of the logistical operation in a criminal enterprise.
- Murphy has 28 previous convictions.
- Investigation
- The investigation was carried out by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which used an x-ray machine to locate the drugs.
- Charges
- Charges of committing offences with a criminal organisation were taken into consideration.
- Sentence
- The defence accepted that the court must impose a sentence of not less than 10 years.
- In court
- The judge adjourned the case to the next sittings of Kilkenny Circuit Court.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing drugs for sale or supply to others. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe drugs seized were 152kg of cocaine with a street value of €10.67 million. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenMurphy was the driver and sole occupant of the truck on 18 March 2025. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeA hidden compartment behind a refrigeration unit held the drugs. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was carried out by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeCharges of committing offences with a criminal organisation were taken into consideration. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe defence accepted the court must impose a sentence of not less than 10 years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case to the next sittings of Kilkenny Circuit Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherMurphy was the transport manager of the haulage company Herriot Haulage. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherMurphy had 28 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 May2026'Top man' in crime gang had €10.67 million of cocaine at Kilkenny petrol station
Reports a guilty plea at Kilkenny Circuit Court, the drugs seizure details, the court evidence and mitigation, and the adjournment for sentencing. Gives the date of the offence as 18 March 2025.
accused, Michael Murphy, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murphy