Ireland Midlands farmer appeals conviction for importing €730,000 of drugs
Martin Murray, a Midlands cattle farmer convicted of importing cannabis worth €730,000, is appealing his conviction at the Court of Appeal. His defence argues that garda evidence should not have been given to the jury, and the court reserved judgment.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCannabis worth €730,000 in 73 packages was found in the truck. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe search found 73 packages of cannabis with a value of €730,000. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí found 73 packages of cannabis worth €730,000 in the truck. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereMurray was stopped driving on the M7. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereMurray lives at Crumlin Little, Moneygall, Birr, County Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereMurray was stopped driving on the M7 in Moneygall, Co Offaly. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe truck was brought to Dublin Port, where the search took place. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe stop happened on June 30, 2017. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenMurray was stopped driving on the M7 on June 30, 2017. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe trial was heard in 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe truck was taken to Dublin Port, where holes were drilled into steel rollers and a camera inserted. (tipperarylive.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí said they had information that Murray was involved in drugs, identifying his name and date of birth. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeA jury found Murray guilty of importing a controlled drug in excess of €13,000 and having drugs for sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeA jury found Murray guilty of importing a controlled drug worth over €13,000 and having drugs for sale or supply. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeA jury convicted Murray of importing a controlled drug worth over €13,000 and of having drugs for sale or supply. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtMurray pleaded not guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court. (tipperarylive.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtMurray claimed he did not know the drugs were on board. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMurray launched an appeal against the conviction in June 2025. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe defence argues that the prosecution's evidence made clear to the jury that Murray was the target of a garda operation. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment and the matter was adjourned. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMurray launched an appeal against the conviction in June. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe defence argued that garda evidence showing Murray as the target of an operation should not have gone to the jury. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment and adjourned the matter. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMurray's defence appealed the conviction, arguing that prosecutors should not have referred to garda knowledge of drugs in the truck in their opening speech. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment after hearing the appeal. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceMurray was sentenced to ten years in prison in December 2023, with the final two years suspended. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceIn December 2023 Murray was sentenced to ten years in prison, with the final two years suspended. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherA vacuum-packed bag containing €6,000 in cash was also found. (tipperarylive.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMurray claimed he did not know the drugs were on board and pleaded not guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jan2026Midlands farmer appeals conviction for importing €730,000 of drugs
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Murray's appeal against his 2023 conviction and 2023 sentence; the court reserved judgment.
convicted, Martin Murray, 60, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Murray - 22 Jan2026Offaly farmer appeals conviction for importing €730,000 of drugs
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing: the defence and State arguments about garda evidence and the defence solicitor's role, and that judgment was reserved. It also gives the trial and sentencing details.
convicted, Martin Murray, 60, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Murray - 21 Jan2026LATEST: Dairy farmer on Tipperary/Offaly border appeals conviction for importing drugs
Tipperary Live reports the Court of Appeal hearing on the appeal against Murray's conviction. It adds the defence's argument that the prosecution's opening speech and garda evidence identified him as the target of the operation, the State's reply that the defence solicitor agreed to this evidence, the court's reservation of judgment, and details of the 2017 seizure and the 2023 trial and sentence.
convicted, Martin Murray, 60, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Murray