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. 15845Possession of cocaine · Co. Donegal · 31 Aug 2022

Man pleads guilty to possessing €300 of cocaine in Donegal Town, judge seeks probation report

John McGroarty, a 53-year-old man from Rossnowlagh, Ballyshannon, was the subject of a search at his address on 31 August 2022, when gardaí executed a warrant at 9.35am and located cocaine worth €300. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine valued at €300 at the offence location in Ardeskin, Donegal Town. On Wednesday, 2 October 2024, before Donegal District Court, the defence asked the judge to leave him without a conviction, and the judge said she wants a probation report before deciding. The matter was adjourned to March 4.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John McGroarty, a 53-year-old man of Rossnowlagh, Ballyshannon, is the defendant.
Where
The offence occurred at Ardeskin, Donegal Town.
When
The offence occurred on 31 August 2022.
Investigation
  • At 9.35am, gardaí executed a warrant at the defendant's address.
  • Cocaine worth €300 was located during the search.
Weapon
No weapon is referred to in the facts.
Charges
He was charged with possession of cocaine valued at €300 and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession.
Other details
  • The defendant made an admission that he used the cocaine for himself.
  • The defendant has no previous convictions.
In court
  • He appeared before Donegal District Court on Wednesday, October 2.
  • The defence asked the judge to leave him without a conviction.
  • The judge wants a probation report before deciding.
  • The matter was adjourned to March 4.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offence occurred at Ardeskin, Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence occurred on 31 August 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí executed a warrant at the defendant's address. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationCocaine worth €300 was located during the search. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine valued at €300. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJohn McGroarty was before Donegal District Court on Wednesday, October 2. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defence solicitor asked the judge to leave the client without a conviction. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge wants a probation report before deciding. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to March 4. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant made an admission to use the cocaine for himself. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Oct2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Appeal to leave man caught with €300 worth of cocaine without conviction

    Court report on a guilty plea to possessing cocaine worth €300. The defence asked for no conviction, and the judge wants a probation report before deciding. The matter is adjourned to March 4.

    accused, John McGroarty, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McGroarty