Thursday 5 November 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. 26585Possession of drugs (heroin and cocaine) · Co. Kilkenny · 16 Mar 2022

Man sentenced for possession of drugs on bus in Kilkenny

On 16 March 2022, a Dublin Coach bus pulled up at a Covid checkpoint at Blanchfields Land, Kilkenny, where gardaí found approximately €52,000 worth of heroin and cocaine hidden in socks on the bus. The bus driver told gardaí that two men were acting suspiciously at the back of the bus. Justin O'Callaghan, a 22-year-old man from Waterford, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs at Kilkenny Circuit Court. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final year suspended for two years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A Dublin Coach bus pulled up at a Covid checkpoint where approximately €52,000 worth of heroin and cocaine were found hidden in socks on the bus.
  • A total of 315 grams of diamorphine valued at €44,100 and 112.5 grams of cocaine valued at €7,840 were seized.
  • The defendant claimed he was acting as a mule bringing drugs back to Waterford and had a drugs debt.
Where
The incident occurred at Blanchfields Land, Kilkenny, a link road between the M9 and Kilkenny City.
When
The incident took place on 16 March 2022.
Investigation
  • The defendant was arrested, brought to Kilkenny Garda Station, interviewed, and shown CCTV from the bus.
  • Forensic analysis confirmed one sock contained cocaine and the second contained diamorphine.
Charges
The defendant pleaded guilty to possession of drugs at Kilkenny Circuit Court.
In court
Aggravating factors included the high value of the drugs and 31 previous convictions including a drugs offence.
Sentence
A four-year prison sentence was handed down with the final year suspended for two years.
Other details
The defendant had 31 previous convictions including 15 under the Public Order Act and 11 under the Road Traffic Act.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe drugs were valued at approximately €52,000 in total. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatA Dublin Coach bus pulled up at a Covid checkpoint where the drugs were found. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe bus driver told gardaí that two men were acting suspiciously at the back of the bus. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe defendant claimed he was visiting a relative in hospital but had no proof or identification. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatA white sock in a bag on the seat behind the defendant contained brown powder believed to be diamorphine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatAnother white sock on a different seat contained a substance suspected to be cocaine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe defendant said he was acting as a mule bringing drugs back to Waterford and had a drugs debt. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatOne sock contained 11 bags of diamorphine and a bag of cocaine; the other sock contained four bags of cocaine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatA total of 315 grams of diamorphine valued at €44,100 was seized. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • what112.5 grams of cocaine valued at €7,840 was seized. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Blanchfields Land, Kilkenny, a link road between the M9 and Kilkenny City. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 16 March 2022. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was arrested, brought to Kilkenny Garda Station, interviewed, and shown CCTV from the bus. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationForensic analysis confirmed one sock contained cocaine and the second contained diamorphine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtAggravating factors included the high value of the drugs and 31 previous convictions including a drugs offence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceA four-year prison sentence was handed down with the final year suspended for two years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 31 previous convictions including 15 under the Public Order Act and 11 under the Road Traffic Act. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant left school at 14, completed his Junior Cert, and worked with Waterford Crystal until the factory closed. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant's father has a serious cancer diagnosis and his mother is taking care of him. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has two sons and is living with his parents. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 May2022
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Prison sentence for drugs found on bus in Kilkenny

    Sentencing details including aggravating and mitigating factors, 31 previous convictions, and the suspended portion of the sentence.

    convicted, Justin O'Callaghan, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Justin O'Callaghan