Wednesday 28 October 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. 0825Possession of drugs for sale or supply · Co. Dublin · 1 Jun 2021

Sean Hassett given suspended 18-month sentence for €5,000 drugs found in Clondalkin home

Sean Hassett, a 29-year-old man, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs for sale or supply after ketamine, cannabis and cocaine worth just over €5,100 were found in wheelie bins and around his family home in Clondalkin, Dublin, on 1 June 2021. He told gardaí he was holding the drugs to pay off a drug debt. Due to delays in processing the drugs, he was not charged until 2026, during which time he moved to Spain and turned his life around. Judge Orla Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court set a headline sentence of two years, reduced to 18 months and suspended for three years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged12 Jun
  4. In court12 Jun
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ketamine worth about €1,550, €2,650 of cannabis, and €900 of cocaine, totalling just over €5,100, were found in wheelie bins in the front garden and other areas around the family home.
Where
The drugs were found at a house in Mayfield Park, Clondalkin, Dublin; one source describes the search as being at a house in Artane, Dublin.
When
The search took place on 1 June 2021, and Hassett was not charged until 2026 due to delays in processing the various drugs involved.
Cause
Hassett told gardaí he had a drug debt and was holding the drugs to help pay it off.
Investigation
The search was conducted under warrant by the Drug and Crime Unit in East Clontarf as part of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the area.
Charges
Sean Hassett pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs for sale or supply under Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of two years, reduced to 18 months, suspended for three years.
Other details
  • During the delay between the search and charging, Hassett moved to Spain, removed himself from negative peer groups, and voluntarily provided clean urine analysis to the court.
  • Hassett has four previous convictions, one road traffic offence and three for possession of drugs, and has not re-offended in either Ireland or Spain.
  • Hassett fully cooperated with the investigation and flew back from Spain for court dates.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe boy has ADHD, autism, development co-ordination disorder and hypermobility (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy also has autism, development co-ordination disorder and hypermobility (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSpecial electric-powered chairs were recommended by an HSE occupational therapist for postural and toileting needs (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe therapist says the boy presents with posterior pelvic tilt and forward head posture (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe recommended chair has wheels and electric height adjustment and can be moved electrically (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA total of eight chairs were recommended, one for each teaching environment (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe application was refused because the boy was not attending a school in the free education scheme (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe clinical assessment found the school-provided chair and desk do not offer adequate adjustability or support (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy's solicitors claim the decision is irrational, unreasonable, without legal basis and in breach of constitutional rights (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy's solicitors claim breach of the Education Act 1998 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCannabis with an estimated street value of €24,000 was recovered during the search. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSean Hassett pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs for sale or supply at his address on 1 June 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe drugs involved ketamine worth about €1,550, €2,650 of cannabis, and €900 of cocaine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe combined total of drugs was just over €5,100. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe boy attends a fee-paying school in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe search was carried out at a house in Artane, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were found in wheelie bins in his front garden and other areas around his family home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeHassett told gardaí he had a drug debt and was holding the drugs to help pay it off. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe raid was part of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe search was conducted under warrant by the Drug and Crime Unit in East Clontarf. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHassett was only charged in 2026 due to delays in processing the various drugs involved. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with one count of Section 3, Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with one count of Section 15, Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was mentioned before Judge Rose Gearty and adjourned to 14 July (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man was bailed and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 29 June. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of two years, reduced to 18 months, suspended for three years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDuring the delay, Hassett moved to Spain, removed himself from negative peer groups, and turned his life around. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHassett voluntarily provided clean urine analysis to the court to prove he is no longer using drugs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHassett is now engaged to be married. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHassett has four previous convictions: one road traffic offence and three for possession of drugs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHassett has not re-offended since in either Ireland or Spain. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHassett fully cooperated with the investigation and flew back from Spain for court dates. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jun2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man caught with €5,000 worth of drugs 'turned life around' and avoids jail

    Reports the sentencing of Sean Hassett, who was caught with just over €5,100 worth of ketamine, cannabis and cocaine in his Clondalkin home in June 2021 but was only charged in 2026 due to processing delays. Judge Orla Crowe suspended an 18-month sentence for three years, noting he had moved to Spain, turned his life around, and not re-offended.

    convicted, Sean Hassett, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Hassett
  2. 12 Jun2026
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man, 20s, due in court after €24,000 worth of cannabis seized

    First report of the arrest and charging following a Drug and Crime Unit raid in Artane.

    suspect, 20s, male
  3. 12 Jun2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Youth refused special chairs for classroom due to attendance at fee-paying school, High Court hears

    First report of the High Court judicial review; case mentioned before Judge Rose Gearty and adjourned to 14 July 2026.

    victim, male