Ireland Case No. 7522Possession of cocaine; possession of cocaine for sale or supply · Co. Tipperary
Man jailed for cocaine found in Tipperary fire station locker
Cocaine worth an estimated €78,000 was found in a lunch box divided into 39 bags inside a work locker at Nenagh Fire Station on 17 January 2018. Michael Morgan, a 43-year-old firefighter, and John Walsh, a 36-year-old plasterer, were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession for sale or supply. At their trial at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court, a jury acquitted Morgan on all three charges and convicted Walsh of possession of cocaine and possession for sale or supply on 2 February 2023. Walsh was sentenced on 9 February 2023 to three years' imprisonment for sale or supply and a concurrent 12 months for simple possession.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 Jan
3 reports - Verdict2 Feb
4 reports - Sentenced9 Feb
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cocaine worth an estimated €78,000 was found in a lunch box divided into 39 bags in a work locker at Nenagh Fire Station.
- Michael Morgan, 43, of Cluain Muillean, Nenagh, is a fire officer with Tipperary Fire and Rescue Services.
- John Walsh, 36, of Coille Bheithe, Nenagh, is a plasterer and dog breeder.
- Where
- Nenagh Fire Station, Tipperary.
- When
- The cocaine was discovered on 17 January 2018.
- Investigation
- Gardaí were alerted and both men were later arrested and charged; Walsh's DNA was found on one of the 39 bags.
- Charges
- Both men were charged with possession of cocaine worth over €13,000, possession of cocaine for sale or supply, and simple possession of cocaine.
- In court
- A jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Morgan on all three charges and convicted Walsh of possession of cocaine and possession for sale or supply on 2 February 2023.
- Sentence
- Walsh was sentenced on 9 February 2023 to three years for possession for sale or supply and a concurrent 12 months for simple possession.
- Other details
- Morgan was not on duty when the drugs were found, his locker was open, and no forensic link to him was found.
- The two men were friends who went hunting together, and at least 30 people had access to the locker area.
- Morgan's High Court action against Tipperary County Council over internal disciplinary proceedings was settled in October 2023.
110 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Morgan is a Tipperary firefighter aged 43 from Cluain Muillean, Nenagh (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJohn Walsh is 36, of Coille Bheithe, Nenagh (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe cocaine was worth an estimated €78,000 (irishmirror.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- whatA number of people would have had access to the firefighter work locker area (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLockers would routinely be left open to allow firefighters quick access to equipment when responding to emergency calls (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA senior firefighter told the court it would have been relatively easy for contraband to be placed in firefighters' work lockers (irishmirror.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- whatLockers were left open or had keys left in the locks (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe white substance looked like it was divided up into equal quantities in equal weight (irishmirror.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMichael Morgan, 43, of Cluain Muillean, Nenagh, is a fire officer with Tipperary Fire and Rescue Services. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatJohn Walsh, 36, of Coille Bheithe, Nenagh, is the co-accused. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatCocaine was found in Morgan's work locker during a routine inspection at the fire station on 17 January 2018. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatA number of people would have had access to the firefighters work locker area. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe lockers would routinely be left open to allow firefighters quick access to equipment when responding to emergency calls. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe lockers were left open or had keys left in the locks. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatA senior firefighter said it would have been relatively easy for contraband to be placed in firefighters' work lockers due to lockers being left open or keys left in the locks. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMichael Morgan is a fire officer with Tipperary Fire and Rescue Services. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatJohn Walsh is 36 years old and lives in Coille Bheithe, Nenagh, Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWalsh is a plasterer and dog breeder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWalsh's DNA was found on one of 39 individually wrapped bags of cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe cocaine had a street value of almost €80,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWalsh had addiction difficulties. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWalsh said he had never visited Nenagh Fire Station. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMorgan was not on duty when the drugs were found and his locker was open when inspected. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe two accused men were friends who often went hunting together. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAt least 30 people had access to the area where the drugs were found. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJohn Walsh, 36, of Coillie Bheithe, Nenagh, was found guilty by a jury of possessing cocaine and possessing it for sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe drugs were concealed in a lunch box and divided into 39 bags. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatA total of €1,700 in cash, a number of watches, and a firearm valued at €5,000 were seized from Walsh. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe cocaine was found at Nenagh Fire Station (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe cocaine, about €78,000 worth, was allegedly found in a lunch box in a locker at Nenagh fire station. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe cocaine was allegedly found in a lunchbox in a locker at Nenagh Fire station. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe trial began on Tuesday 28 January 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe trial began on Tuesday (24 January 2023). (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe cocaine was found on 17 January 2018 (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe drugs were discovered on 17 January 2018 in a locker belonging to Michael Morgan at Nenagh Fire Station. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe cocaine was allegedly found in January 2018. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGardaí were alerted and the two accused men were later arrested and charged in connection with the seizure (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA forensic analysis of the lunchbox contents confirmed it was cocaine (irishmirror.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationA forensic analysis of the contents of the lunchbox confirmed it was cocaine. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationThe DPP directed in 2019 that Morgan should not face charges, but a later review led to charges in 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were alerted and the two accused men were later arrested and charged. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationA garda analysis of the cocaine did not find any forensic link between it and the firefighter. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMorgan told gardaí two years after the drugs were found that people with access to the locker area had not been interviewed. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationLead investigator Garda Andrew Loughlin said he had interviewed all persons he understood had access to the fire station locker area. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationWalsh was interviewed on four separate occasions and denied any knowledge of the drugs. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationA subsequent Garda examination of the drugs found no forensic link to Michael Morgan. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda examination of the drugs found no forensic link to Michael Morgan. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeEach is charged with one count of possessing cocaine worth over €13,000, carrying a minimum mandatory 10-year jail term (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeEach is charged with one count of possession of cocaine for sale or supply (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeEach is charged with one count of simple possession of cocaine (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeEach accused is charged with one count of possessing cocaine worth over €13,000, carrying a minimum mandatory 10-year jail term. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeEach accused is also charged with one count of possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeEach accused is also charged with one count of simple possession of cocaine. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeBoth men were charged with one count of possessing cocaine worth over €13,000, carrying a minimum mandatory 10 year jail term. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeBoth men were also charged with one count of possession of cocaine for sale or supply and one count of simple possession of cocaine. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeEach man is charged with one count of possessing cocaine worth over €13,000, carrying a minimum mandatory 10-year jail term. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeEach man is charged with one count of possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeEach man is charged with one count of simple possession of cocaine. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeThe jury acquitted Walsh of one count of possession of cocaine worth €13,000 or more under Section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJohn Walsh was found guilty by the jury of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJohn Walsh was acquitted of allegedly possessing cocaine worth €13,000 or more. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThey appeared before Nenagh Circuit Court on Wednesday, the second day of their trial (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury consists of seven men and five women (irishmirror.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe trial continues on Thursday, 26 January (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury was sent home for the night after failing to reach a verdict following two hours of deliberations. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe trial is being heard at Nenagh Circuit Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMorgan was acquitted by a jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday on all three charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtWalsh was found guilty of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- courtWalsh was acquitted of possessing cocaine worth €13,000 or more. (irishtimes.com)
- courtWalsh was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Nenagh Circuit Court for sentencing on 9 February 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury at Nenagh Circuit Court found John Walsh guilty of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale and supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJohn Walsh was found not guilty of possession of cocaine with a value greater than €13,000 for sale and supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMichael Morgan, a fire officer with Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service, was cleared of all charges. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJohn Walsh was remanded on continuing bail to 9 February 2023 for sentencing. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJohn Walsh was convicted by a jury of having cocaine for sale or supply (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJohn Walsh was found not guilty of having cocaine valued at more than €13,000 for sale or supply (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMichael Morgan was found not guilty of the same charges by the jury (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtWalsh was found guilty on 2 February by a jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Morgan, 43, of Cluain Muillean, Nenagh, was acquitted by the jury on the three same charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtWalsh was found not guilty of possessing cocaine valued at more than €13,000 for the purpose of sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMichael Morgan, 43, of Cluain Mhuillean, Nenagh, a fire officer with North Tipperary Fire and Rescue Services, was found not guilty on similar charges. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudge Quinn said he had to take into account the harm being done to society by drugs, particularly cocaine. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtA jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Michael Morgan of the charges last February. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Marguerite Bolger granted Michael Morgan an interim injunction restraining Tipperary County Council from holding a disciplinary meeting due on Friday at 11am. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted a temporary injunction on an ex parte basis restraining the meeting from taking place. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter to a date in October when the new legal term commences. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Morgan's High Court action to stop his employer's internal disciplinary proceedings has been resolved. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to allow the settlement terms to be implemented and will return to court in early November. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtA jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquitted Michael Morgan of criminal charges over cocaine worth €78,000. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJohn Walsh, aged 36, of Nenagh was found guilty by the jury of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceJohn Walsh was jailed for three years by Nenagh Circuit Court for having cocaine for sale or supply (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceJohn Walsh was given a 12-month concurrent sentence for possession of cocaine on the same date (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceJudge Quinn sentenced Walsh to three years for possession of cocaine for sale or supply and 12 months for possession of cocaine, to run concurrently. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherMorgan was not present when the drugs were found, his locker was open, and no forensic link to him was found. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMorgan told gardaí the lunch box had been in his locker for one to two years, he did not own it, and he never put anything into it. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe two accused were long-time friends, both held licensed firearms, and went hunting together. (irishtimes.com)
- otherWalsh said he could not explain how his DNA was found on a knot on one of the plastic bags containing cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
- otherWalsh works as a plasterer and a dog breeder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherWalsh had been unemployed between 2010 and 2016 and only returned to full-time employment in 2019. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherWalsh had previously received the benefit of the Restorative Justice programme at Nenagh District Court for possession of cocaine valued at €250. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherWalsh was married with two children, one of whom had medical challenges. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe €1,700 in cash was to be given to Cuan Mhuire and the watches were returned to Walsh. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherMichael Morgan denied any wrongdoing and said the lunch box had been in the locker for some time. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMichael Morgan was suspended by the council from his job on full pay over the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe council maintained internal disciplinary proceedings against Michael Morgan despite his acquittal. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe council first told Michael Morgan on September 13 that it intended to raise issues arising from the criminal trial. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo details of the settlement agreement were given in open court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherMichael Morgan was suspended by the council from his job on full pay after the incident. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherDespite the acquittal, the council maintained the internal disciplinary proceedings against Michael Morgan. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherMichael Morgan claimed the disciplinary process was unfair and in breach of fair procedures. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Oct2023Tipperary firefighter acquitted of drug charges settles case against his employer
Reports that the High Court action brought by Michael Morgan has been settled, with no settlement details given in open court and the matter adjourned to early November. It also restates the Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court acquittal and the conviction of John Walsh.
accused, Michael Morgan, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganconvicted, John Walsh, 36, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh - 14 Sep2023Firefighter acquitted of drugs offences secures injunction preventing disciplinary hearing against him
Reports a civil High Court injunction in Michael Morgan's employment dispute arising from the earlier criminal trial. It adds the acquittal of Morgan and the conviction of John Walsh at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court, and the council's disciplinary process.
accused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganconvicted, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh - 15 Feb2023Tipperary cocaine case judge takes harm done to society into account in jailing man
Reports the sentencing of John Walsh to three years' imprisonment (three years for possession for sale or supply and 12 months for possession, concurrent), with details of trial evidence, mitigation, and Judge Quinn's reasoning that the harm done to society by cocaine had to be taken into account.
convicted, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walshaccused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morgan - 9 Feb2023Plasterer jailed for possession of cocaine allegedly found inside a firefighter’s locker
Reports the sentencing of John Walsh to three years' imprisonment and confirms Michael Morgan's acquittal on the same three charges. Adds details about Walsh's DNA on the bags, the €1,700 cash donation to Cuan Mhuire, and the defence arguments about access to the locker area.
convicted, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walshaccused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morgan - 9 Feb2023BREAKING: Tipperary man has been jailed for three years by Nenagh Circuit Court
Reports the sentencing: John Walsh jailed three years for cocaine for sale or supply and 12-month concurrent for possession; acquitted of the €13,000 charge. Michael Morgan acquitted of all charges.
convicted, John Walsh, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walshaccused, Michael Morgan, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morgan - 3 Feb2023Two Tipperary men on trial over cocaine allegedly found in fire station locker
Reports on the second day of the trial at Nenagh Circuit Court, with evidence from fire service members about locker accessibility and from Garda Andrew O'Loughlin about the discovery and appearance of the cocaine, plus searches of Morgan's home and workplace locker that found nothing suspicious.
accused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganaccused, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh - 3 Feb2023BREAKING: Jury reach verdict in Tipperary cocaine trial
Reports the jury verdict: Walsh convicted on possession and possession for sale/supply but acquitted on the €13,000 charge; Morgan acquitted on all charges. Walsh remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 9 February 2023.
convicted, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walshaccused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morgan - 2 Feb2023Tipperary fireman not guilty over possession of cocaine worth almost €80,000
Reports the jury verdict: Morgan acquitted on all three charges; Walsh convicted on two of three charges and remanded for sentencing on 9 February 2023. Provides trial detail including defence arguments, witness testimony from Garda Loughlin, and the DPP's 2019 direction not to charge Morgan.
accused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganconvicted, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh - 1 Feb2023BREAKING: Tipperary cocaine trial jury sent home for the night
Reports on the second day of the trial, including evidence about how the cocaine was found in Morgan's work locker, the specific charges, the defence argument about access to lockers, and the jury being sent home without a verdict.
accused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganaccused, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh - 26 Jan2023Firefighter on trial accused of having cocaine in work locker
Second day of trial at Nenagh Circuit Court; evidence from fire service members and Garda Andrew O'Loughlin; defence argues lockers were routinely left open allowing easy access; forensic analysis confirmed cocaine; trial continues 26 January 2023.
accused, Michael Morgan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Morganaccused, John Walsh, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Walsh