Ireland Patrickswell man given suspended sentence over drugs found in attic
Gardaí received confidential information on 20 February 2025 and searched the Patrickswell, County Limerick home of Kevin O'Connell, 52, where they found 1,732 grams of drugs in the attic. O'Connell told gardaí he was only minding the drugs for a payment of €100 per job. He pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to sale and supply of drugs, simple possession, and sale or supply over €13,000, and Judge Colin Daly did not apply the presumptive 10-year minimum because his role was at a very low level. In March 2026 the judge gave him a three-year sentence, fully suspended for three years on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced18 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí found 1,732 grams of drugs in the attic of the man's home.
- Where
- The home is in Patrickswell, County Limerick.
- When
- Gardaí received confidential information on 20 February 2025.
- Investigation
- The confidential information led gardaí to the home, and the man directed them to the attic when they arrived to search.
- Other details
- The drugs were valued at €34,000 in the article headline and at almost €35,000 in the article body.
- The man told gardaí he was only minding the drugs and would be paid €100 for the job.
- He said he would collect the drugs from a car on backroads and believed he had done this job five times.
- The judge said he was social welfare dependent and under financial pressure at the time of the offence.
- He has no previous convictions and is described in the article as having a history of community involvement.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to sale and supply of drugs, simple drugs possession, and sale or supply of drugs over a value of €13,000.
- In court
- Judge Colin Daly sentenced him at Limerick Circuit Court and did not apply the presumptive 10-year mandatory minimum because his role was at a very low level.
- Sentence
- He received a three-year sentence, fully suspended for three years on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí found 1,732 grams of drugs in the attic. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereDrugs were found in the attic of the man's home in Patrickswell. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenGardaí received confidential information on February 20, 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe confidential information led gardaí to the man's home in Patrickswell. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationWhen gardaí arrived to search the home, the man directed them to his attic. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to sale and supply of drugs, simple drugs possession, and sale or supply of drugs over a value of €13,000. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtJudge Colin Daly sentenced him at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge did not apply the presumptive 10-year mandatory minimum because the man's role was at a very low level. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceHe received a three-year sentence, fully suspended for three years on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe man told gardaí he was only minding the drugs. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant would pick up the drugs from a car on the backroads. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherHe believed he had done this job five times. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherHe would be paid €100 for the job. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said the man was social welfare dependent and under financial pressure at the time of the offence. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe man has no previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Mar2026Limerick man caught with €34k drugs in attic gets a suspended sentence
Court report on the sentencing of Kevin O’Connell at Limerick Circuit Court. Adds the sentence, the judge's reasoning, the guilty pleas, and details of the alleged minding role.
convicted, Kevin O'Connell, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin O'Connell