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. 27344Possession of drugs for sale or supply (heroin) · Co. Offaly · 25 Nov 2021

Offaly man jailed for heroin sale or supply in Birr

Oliver Murphy, a man aged 43, pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court in December 2021 to having 124 grams of heroin worth €17,374 for sale or supply at his address in Birr, Offaly. The drugs were found in a turf shed during a search, and €90 was found on him. He was remanded on continuing bail in July 2021 and again in December 2021 pending sentencing. In April 2022, Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced him to five years' imprisonment with conditions including Probation Service supervision and Narcotics Anonymous attendance.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
124 grams of heroin in a bag was found in the accused's turf shed, worth €17,374, and €90 was found on him.
Where
The offence took place at 27 McAuley Drive, Birr, Offaly.
When
The offence is dated 24 November 2020, the charge references 25 November 2020, and the search is recorded as 25 November 2021.
Charges
Murphy was charged with having diamorphine (heroin) for sale or supply.
In court
  • The DPP directed that Murphy be sent for trial and he was remanded on continuing bail to 28 July 2021 at Tullamore District Court.
  • Murphy pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court in December 2021 and was remanded on continuing bail to 5 April 2022 for sentencing.
Sentence
In April 2022, Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced Murphy to five years' imprisonment with conditions including Probation Service supervision and Narcotics Anonymous attendance.
Other details
  • Murphy was described as a recovering heroin addict who had been using heroin since age 17 and was on a methadone programme with his prescription reduced from 100ml to 69ml.
  • He had four previous convictions for possession of drugs for sale or supply dating back to 2004.
  • He sold six to seven grams of heroin a week at €70 a gram to about five people using his mobile phone.
  • He paid €3,300 for the drugs found and was told the amount was three ounces.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • what124 grams of heroin in a bag was found in the accused's turf shed (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe heroin was worth €17,374 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • what€90 was found on the accused (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at his own address, 27 McAuley Drive, Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence occurred on 24 November 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe search took place on 25 November 2021 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeMurphy is accused of having diamorphine at his address on 25 November 2020 for sale or supply. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe admitted having diamorphine (heroin) for sale or supply to others. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Oliver Murphy be sent for trial on alleged diamorphine possession charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtSergeant James O'Sullivan sought a remand on continuing bail to 28 July for service of a book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens remanded the accused to 28 July and extended time for service of the book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtOliver Murphy pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court to having heroin for sale or supply in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtColm Smyth SC was defending Murphy. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Keenan Johnson presided over the arraignment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded Murphy on continuing bail to 5 April 2022 for sentencing. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge directed the preparation of a probation report. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge extended Murphy's legal aid certificate to cover the cost of a medical report. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court before Judge Keenan Johnson (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtGarda Helen Colleran gave evidence at the sentencing hearing (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDefending solicitor Donal Farrelly applied for an adjournment to September because Murphy helps his elderly father on the bog during August. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMurphy was described as a recovering heroin addict. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused admitted having the drug in interviews at the local garda station (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe had been using heroin since he was 17 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was smoking seven to eight bags of heroin a day before his arrest (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe sold six to seven grams a week at €70 a gram (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherSales were made using his mobile phone (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe paid €3,300 for the drugs found and was told the amount was three ounces (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe accepted the bag was his and was going to use it to sell and get drugs for himself (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe sold between €100 and €150 worth of heroin each to about five people (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe had four previous convictions for possession of drugs for sale or supply dating back to 2004 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHis previous suspended sentences varied from two months up to 11 months (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was a plasterer by trade (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherWork references from two former employers were submitted, one of whom was a former garda (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was on a methadone programme with his prescription reduced from 100ml to 69ml (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was attending the Community Alcohol and Drugs Service every two weeks (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Apr2022
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Offaly man jailed after heroin found in unusual hiding place

    Sentencing report at Tullamore Circuit Court detailing the search, Murphy's drug history, his addiction, and the five-year custodial sentence with conditions including Probation Service supervision and Narcotics Anonymous.

    convicted, Oliver Murphy, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Murphy
  2. 8 Dec2021
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Offaly heroin addict admits having drugs for supply

    Reports the guilty plea and remand for sentencing; defence described Murphy as a recovering heroin addict and requested a probation report; judge also ordered a medical report under an extended legal aid certificate.

    accused, Oliver Murphy, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Murphy
  3. 2 Jul2021
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Offaly man seeks court adjournment to work on the bog

    Reports the remand hearing at Tullamore District Court where Murphy was remanded on continuing bail to 28 July 2021; his solicitor sought an adjournment to September for bog work but the judge extended time for service of the book of evidence instead.

    accused, Oliver Murphy, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Murphy