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. 20549Drugs offence (possession and sale or supply) · Co. Kilkenny · 9 Nov 2022

Man sentenced to ten months over drugs at Kilkenny psychiatry unit

Nicholas Campion, a 75-year-old man, admitted having drugs for personal use and for sale and supply at the Department of Psychiatry at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny on November 9, 2022. He also admitted having drugs for personal use at Kilkenny Garda Station on November 8, 2022. Gardaí received a report of drugs intercepted at the hospital on November 9, 2022. On June 27, 2023, reporting on the sentencing at Kilkenny courthouse said Judge Geraldine Carthy sentenced him to ten months in prison, with €500 recognisances set in the event of an appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Nicholas Campion admitted having drugs for personal use and for sale and supply to others.
  • He also admitted having drugs for personal use at Kilkenny Garda Station on November 8, 2022.
  • A bag of clothes was dropped for a male, €200 was handed over to the person holding it, and staff intercepted the bag.
  • The cannabis was hidden inside a bottle said to contain shower gel.
Where
The drugs were found at the Department of Psychiatry at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny.
When
The hospital offences happened on November 9, 2022.
Investigation
  • Gardaí received a report of drugs intercepted at the hospital.
  • He made full admissions to gardaí.
In court
Judge Geraldine Carthy said she found the offence details somewhat concerning.
Sentence
  • Judge Geraldine Carthy sentenced him to ten months in prison.
  • Recognisances of €500 were set in the event of an appeal.
  • Bail conditions include staying out of Kilkenny except for court appearances and medical appointments, signing on, and a curfew.
Other details
  • He has eighty previous convictions, including for violent disorder, assault causing harm, drugs offences and burglaries.
  • His solicitor said he had been put under pressure by someone known to him to drop the drugs, and he apologised to the court, saying it was a stupid idea.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant admitted possessing drugs for personal use and for sale and supply to others. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatHe also admitted having drugs for personal use at Kilkenny Garda Station on November 8, 2022. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatA bag of clothes was dropped for a male and €200 was handed over to the person holding it, and staff intercepted the bag. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe cannabis was hidden inside a bottle that was said to contain shower gel. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were found at the Department of Psychiatry at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe offences at the Department of Psychiatry happened on November 9, 2022. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí received a report of drugs intercepted at the hospital. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant made full admissions to gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy said she found the offence details somewhat concerning. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge sentenced him to ten months in prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceRecognisances of €500 were set in the event of an appeal. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceBail conditions include staying out of Kilkenny except for court appearances and medical appointments, signing on, and a curfew. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has eighty previous convictions, including for violent disorder, assault causing harm, drugs offences and burglaries. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he had been put under pressure by someone known to him to drop the drugs. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant apologised to the court, saying it was a stupid idea. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he now lives with his partner in North Kilkenny, is employed, and has distanced himself from his negative peer group. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jun2023
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Convicted of drug dealing at Department of Psychiatry - Kilkenny Live

    Court report on the sentencing of Nicholas Campion, including the hospital incident, Garda station possession, prior convictions, and the sentence and bail conditions.

    convicted, Nicholas Campion, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nicholas Campion