Ireland Man sentenced to six months over cocaine possession in Birr
Tommy Ward (30), of Mill Street, Birr, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court to possessing cocaine and possessing cocaine for sale or supply to others. The charges relate to deal bags and cocaine worth €2,170 found in a car at Riverstown, Birr, on November 6 (year not stated). Judge Andrew Cody called him a career criminal, said he did not accept the guilty plea was an early one, and sentenced him to six months in prison, as reported on 6 July 2024. The judge fixed recognisances for an appeal, so the latest development is that Ward may appeal the sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced6 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Tommy Ward (30), of Mill Street, Birr, pleaded guilty to drugs charges at Tullamore District Court.
- Where
- The deal bags and cocaine were found in a car at Riverstown, Birr, County Offaly.
- When
- The offence was committed on November 6, with the year not stated.
- Weapon
- No weapon is mentioned in the case.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found deal bags and cocaine worth €2,170 near Birr.
- Charges
- Ward pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and to possessing cocaine for sale or supply to others.
- In court
- The case was heard at Tullamore District Court before Judge Andrew Cody.
- Judge Andrew Cody described Ward as a career criminal.
- Other details
- Ward had three previous convictions for drug possession, plus prior convictions for assaulting a garda, public order offences and theft.
- The defence said Ward has bipolar disorder and offended during a break in his medication.
- The judge said he did not accept the guilty plea was an early one and that he may have considered a suspended sentence had the plea been entered seven months earlier.
- The judge fixed recognisances for an appeal.
- Sentence
- Ward was sentenced to six months in prison, as reported on 6 July 2024.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man pleaded guilty to a drugs offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatWard was in a car with deal bags and cocaine worth €2,170. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe drugs were found in Riverstown, Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence was committed on November 6 (year not stated). (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí found deal bags and drugs worth €2,170 near Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and to possessing cocaine for sale or supply to others. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Andrew Cody described Ward as a career criminal. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceWard was sentenced to six months in prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherWard had three previous convictions for possession of drugs and other prior convictions for assaulting a garda, public order offences and theft. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said Ward suffers from bipolar disorder and offended during a break in his medication. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge said he did not accept the guilty plea was an early one. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge said he may have considered a suspended sentence if the guilty plea had been entered seven months earlier. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge fixed recognisances for an appeal. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Jul2024Six-month sentence for 'career criminal' on Offaly cocaine charge
First report of the sentencing at Tullamore District Court. Adds the charges, the court's description of the defendant's previous convictions, the defence account of his medication, and the appeal recognisances.
convicted, Tommy Ward, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tommy Ward