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. 29210Drug offence (possession of cannabis for sale or supply) · Co. Dublin · 3 Jun 2024

Man sentenced to three years for cannabis possession in Dublin

Matthew Jenkinson, a 27-year-old man, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at a house on St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, on 3 June 2024. CCTV showed him delivering 14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 in a black suitcase to the property in a white Ford Focus, where his co-accused took ownership of the suitcase. On 4 November 2026, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Jenkinson to three years' imprisonment, a departure from the 10-year presumptive mandatory minimum, finding he was coerced into carrying the drugs. His co-accused was jailed for two years and nine months.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Nov
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra on 3 June 2024.
  • 14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a large black suitcase at the house.
  • CCTV showed a white Ford Focus arriving at the property and Jenkinson exiting carrying the suitcase.
  • The co-accused took ownership of the suitcase containing the cannabis.
  • Jenkinson made no admissions about the drugs but accepted ownership of the van when interviewed by gardaí.
Cause
Jenkinson indicated he had a drug debt of around €10,000 that was a factor in his offending.
Where
The cannabis was found at a house on St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.
Investigation
Garda Philip Lavery gave evidence at sentencing and a hard drive containing CCTV footage was seized from the property.
In court
Judge Martin Nolan presided; Simon Matthews BL prosecuted and Michael Bowman SC defended.
Sentence
  • Jenkinson was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, a departure from the 10-year presumptive mandatory minimum.
  • The co-accused was jailed for two years and nine months.
Other details
Jenkinson has no relevant previous convictions, works as an electrician, completed a drug rehabilitation programme, and is assessed at low risk of reoffending.
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra on 3 June 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • what14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a large black suitcase at the house. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA white Ford Focus arrived at the property earlier that day and Jenkinson exited carrying the suitcase. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe co-accused took ownership of the suitcase containing the cannabis. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatJenkinson made no admissions about the drugs but accepted ownership of the van when interviewed by gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJenkinson has no relevant previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatJenkinson works as an electrician. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatJenkinson is assessed at low risk of reoffending. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJenkinson developed addiction issues at a young age and completed a drug rehabilitation programme. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatUrine analysis is clean of all substances and he continues to engage with supports to maintain sobriety. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJenkinson has an offer of work open to him upon release from custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMatthew Jenkinson pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply (dublinlive.ie)
  • what14.5 kg of cannabis valued at €290,000 was found in a large black suitcase (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed a white Ford Focus arriving at the property earlier that day (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatJenkinson exited the vehicle carrying the large black suitcase to the property (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatJenkinson made no admissions about the drugs but accepted ownership of the van (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatGarda Philip Lavery said Jenkinson is more culpable than the co-accused (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed Jenkinson sought out the property and brought the cannabis there, where the co-accused stored it (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatNo drugs or paraphernalia were found at Jenkinson's home in Swords (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatJenkinson has not come to negative garda attention in the last two years (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe probation report is positive and Jenkinson is assessed at low risk of reoffending (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatUrine analysis is clean of all substances (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe drug debt was in the region of €10,000 (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis was found at a house on St Ignatius Road, Drumcondra (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeJenkinson indicated he had a drug debt that was a factor in his offending. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGarda Philip Lavery gave evidence at the sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA hard drive containing CCTV footage was seized from the property. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • courtJudge Martin Nolan presided over the sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSimon Matthews BL prosecuted and Michael Bowman SC defended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe co-accused was jailed for two years and nine months. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceJenkinson was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe presumptive mandatory minimum sentence for the offence was 10 years. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Nov2026
    Sentenceddublinlive.ie, its first report
    Man jailed after €290,000 cannabis delivery to Dublin house

    Provides full detail of the sentencing hearing: the judge's reasoning on coercion and the drug debt, the co-accused's sentence of two years and nine months, mitigation including a positive probation report, drug rehabilitation, and a clean urine test, and the departure from the 10-year presumptive minimum.

    convicted, Matthew Jenkinson, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matthew Jenkinsonconvicted
  2. 4 Nov2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man who delivered €290k of cannabis to Dublin house jailed

    Sentencing report: Jenkinson received three years, a departure from the 10-year mandatory minimum, due to his early guilty plea and mitigation including a drug debt of around €10,000, no prior convictions, low reoffending risk, and completion of a rehabilitation programme. The judge found he was 'coerced' into carrying the drugs.

    convicted, Matthew Jenkinson, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matthew Jenkinsonconvicted