Ireland Teenager sentenced for cocaine possession at Galway Circuit Court
On 19 September 2021, a 17-year-old man was arrested at a disused yard at Dunlo Harbour, Galway, after Gardaí found him removing a white lunchbox containing six bags of suspected cocaine from undergrowth. The drugs were confirmed as 620.7 grams of cocaine with a street value of €43,449. He was charged under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act with possession of drugs for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty at the first date at Galway Circuit Court before Judge Brian O'Callaghan. In April 2023, the judge imposed a Community Sanction Order of 120 hours, citing his young age, early plea, and engagement with Youthreach as mitigating factors.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced6 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The defendant climbed a wall, put on latex gloves, and removed a white lunchbox containing six bags of white powder from undergrowth at a disused yard.
- The bags contained 620.7 grams of cocaine with a street value of €43,449.
- Where
- The drugs were found at a disused yard at Dunlo Harbour, Galway.
- When
- The arrest and seizure took place on 19 September 2021, shortly after 5pm.
- Charges
- The offence was Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, possession of drugs for sale or supply where the value is €13,000 or greater.
- In court
- The case was heard at Galway Circuit Court before Judge Brian O'Callaghan.
- Sentence
- In April 2023 the judge imposed a Community Sanction Order of 120 hours.
- Other details
- The accused, a 17-year-old minor, had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty at the first date.
- The teenager claimed his friends accumulated a drug debt of a few hundred euro and he took responsibility, ending up in cocaine dealing.
- The judge cited the early plea, young age, work ethic, and engagement with Youthreach as mitigating factors, and the value and nature of the drugs and participation in the drug trade as aggravating factors.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant climbed the wall, put on latex gloves, and removed a white lunchbox from the undergrowth. (galwaydaily.com)
- whatInside the lunchbox were six bags of white powder, two big and four smaller, all suspected to be cocaine. (galwaydaily.com)
- whatThe drugs were analysed and confirmed as 620.7 grams of cocaine with a street value of €43,449. (galwaydaily.com)
- whereThe drugs were found at a disused yard at Dunlo Harbour. (galwaydaily.com)
- whenThe arrest and seizure took place on 19 September 2021, shortly after 5pm. (galwaydaily.com)
- chargeThe offence was Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, possession of drugs for sale or supply where the value is €13,000 or greater. (galwaydaily.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Galway Circuit Court before Judge Brian O'Callaghan. (galwaydaily.com)
- otherThe accused had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty at the first date before the Circuit Court. (galwaydaily.com)
- otherThe teenager claimed his friends accumulated a drug debt of a few hundred euro and he took responsibility, ending up in cocaine dealing. (galwaydaily.com)
- otherThe judge cited the early plea, young age, work ethic, and engagement with Youthreach as mitigating factors. (galwaydaily.com)
- otherThe judge cited the value and nature of the drugs and participation in the drug trade as aggravating factors. (galwaydaily.com)
- otherThe teenager is involved in GAA and Soccer and wants to become a teacher. (galwaydaily.com)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Apr2023Teenager gets community service for €43k cocaine stash - Galway Daily
Reports the sentencing at Galway Circuit Court of a minor for possession of cocaine for sale or supply under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, with the judge imposing a Community Sanction Order of 120 hours.
convicted, 17, male