Saturday 31 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. 20369Possession of drugs (cannabis and Xanax) for personal use · Co. Laois · 6 Feb 2023

Man sentenced for cannabis and Xanax possession at Monasterevin and Portarlington

John McCormack, 48, admitted possessing cannabis at Monasterevin Train Station on 6 February 2023 and Xanax and cannabis at his Portarlington home on 19 March 2021. The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court, where he entered a guilty plea. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced him to a three-month term suspended for two years and a €700 fine. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby noted the defendant has 73 previous convictions, the vast majority under the theft act.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John McCormack, 48, admitted having cannabis at Monasterevin Train Station on 6 February 2023.
  • He also admitted having Xanax and cannabis at his home in Portarlington on 19 March 2021.
Where
The offences occurred in Monasterevin and Portarlington, County Laois.
When
The first offence was on 6 February 2023 and the second on 19 March 2021.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court.
Sentence
  • Judge Andrew Cody imposed a three-month sentence suspended for two years.
  • He was fined a total of €700.
Other details
  • The defendant has 73 previous convictions, the vast majority under the theft act and only one under the misuse of drugs act.
  • The cannabis was valued at €45 and €20 respectively, and the Xanax tablets at €10.
  • Legal aid was granted to the defendant.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn McCormack admitted having cannabis at Monasterevin Train Station on 6 February 2023 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatHe also admitted having Xanax and cannabis at his home in Portarlington on 19 March 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody gave a three-month sentence suspended for two years (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined a total of €700 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has 73 previous convictions (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherOnly one of his previous convictions was under the misuse of drugs act (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe vast majority of his previous convictions were under the theft act (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe cannabis was valued at €45 and €20 respectively (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe Xanax tablets were valued at €10 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted to the defendant (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jul2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man had drugs at train station

    Sentencing details: three-month term suspended for two years, €700 fine, legal aid granted. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby noted 73 previous convictions, the vast majority under the theft act, with only one under the misuse of drugs act.

    convicted, John McCormack, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McCormack