Case No. 1619Possession of controlled drugs (cocaine) for sale or supply, money laundering, possession of articles for drug trafficking · Co. Cork · 27 Mar 2024
Soldier jailed for cocaine found in Collins Barracks room
Shane Scanlon, 35, a former Irish Army soldier, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment (one year suspended) at Cork Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of nearly €27,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply, found in his room at Collins Barracks, Cork, on 27 March 2024. Judge Dermot Sheehan described the offence as an 'extraordinary breach of trust' and departed from the mandatory 10-year minimum sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced23 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNearly €27,000 worth of cocaine was found in Scanlon's Army barracks room. (irishtimes.com)
- whatScanlon served in the Irish Army for 18 years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe resigned from the Defence Forces after being caught with the cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA search of his home recovered €2,250 in cash. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe barracks is constantly guarded. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe cocaine was found in a room he rented in Collins Barracks in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe drug dealing was carried out purely for monetary gain with no suggestion of drug addiction or drug debt. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationEvidence of drug dealing was found on a phone owned by Scanlon, going back to 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationScanlon made full admissions to gardaí upon arrest and co-operated fully with the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeScanlon pleaded guilty to having cocaine at Collins Barracks on 27 March 2024 for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe admitted possessing cocaine unlawfully on the same date for his own use. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to money laundering in relation to €1,100 at Collins Barracks and €2,250 at his home in Cobh. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceScanlon was jailed for five years with the last year suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe is the father of three. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe has two previous convictions for minor driving offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe suffered from homelessness in the past. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe charge of having cocaine for sale and supply exceeding €13,000 carries a mandatory 10-year minimum prison sentence. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 May2025‘Extraordinary breach of trust’: Soldier jailed after €27,000 worth of cocaine found in barracks room
Sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court; judge departed from mandatory 10-year minimum for section 15A offence citing plea, lack of relevant previous convictions and personal circumstances.
suspect, Shane Scanlon, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Scanlon