Ireland Mullingar man given suspended sentence over cannabis seizure
On 31 January 2023, gardaí pulled over Mark Kiernan's car on Ballinderry Road, Westmeath, and searched his residence, where they reported finding cannabis herb worth €4,688 and cocaine for personal use. Kiernan pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to unlawfully possessing cannabis and cocaine and to having cannabis for sale or supply. On 29 November 2024, Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a two-year sentence but suspended it, conditional on Kiernan not re-offending for five years and paying €5,000 to Merchants Quay Ireland within 18 months, and referred him to the Probation Service about 240 hours of community service. The judge also called for a task force to tackle drugs and educate people on their dangers.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Nov
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Where
- Gardaí pulled over Mark Kiernan's car on Ballinderry Road in County Westmeath.
- When
- The offences took place on 31 January 2023.
- Investigation
- Kiernan handed over cannabis deals worth €550 across three deals.
- A search of Kiernan's residence found cannabis herb worth €4,688.
- The search also found cocaine valued at around €850 for personal use and €350 in cash.
- Other details
- The total value of the drugs and cash was about €5,560.
- Kiernan admitted he had been selling about one kilogramme of cannabis a month.
- Kiernan had an income of €1,500 a week from selling cannabis.
- Kiernan had no prior criminal convictions.
- Judge Keenan Johnson called for a task force to tackle drugs and educate people on their dangers.
- Charges
- Kiernan pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing cannabis and cocaine and to having cannabis for sale or supply.
- In court
- The case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a two-year sentence and suspended it; the case notes name the judge as Judge Johnson.
- The suspension is conditional on Kiernan not re-offending for five years and paying €5,000 to Merchants Quay Ireland within 18 months.
- Kiernan was referred to the Probation Service to check whether he is suitable for 240 hours of community service.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereGardaí pulled over Kiernan's car on Ballinderry Road. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on 31 January 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationKiernan handed over three cannabis deals worth €550. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHis residence was searched and cannabis herb worth €4,688 was found. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationCocaine valued around €850 for personal use and €350 in cash were also found in the search. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeKiernan pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing drugs, cannabis and cocaine and having cannabis for sale or supply. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Johnson imposed a two-year sentence but suspended it. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe suspension was conditional on Kiernan not re-offending for five years and paying €5,000 to Merchants Quay Ireland within 18 months. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceKiernan was referred to the Probation Service to check whether he was suitable for 240 hours of community service. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe total value of the drugs and cash was about €5,560. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKiernan admitted he had been selling a kilogramme of cannabis a month. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKiernan had a €1,500 a week income from selling cannabis. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKiernan had no prior criminal convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherJudge Keenan Johnson called for a task force to tackle drugs and educate people on their dangers. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Nov2024Judge calls for task force on danger of drugs as man sentenced for cannabis seizure
First report of the sentencing. Adds the sentence, the Garda evidence, the total seizure value, the accused's admissions, and the judge's call for a task force on drugs.
convicted, Mark Kiernan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Kiernan