Longford drug courier handed two year jail term

When officers stopped the vehicle with Joe Mears (30), 1 Richmond Street, Longford, and John Doyle (41), 35 The Mill, Clondra, Longford, there was still a strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle even though the drugs were jettisoned during the chase.

The two men appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court having pleaded guilty to the offence from five years ago. The delay in the prosecution was partly down to Covid restrictions.

Detective Sergeant Keelan Brennan told how a Garda surveillance team, operating on information, were monitoring the movement of the two men on September 5, 2017 as they drove their VW Pasat in the vicinity of Navan.

The men called to Fabio's Garage in Ashbourne. As they left the garage the unmarked patrol car followed them. The Passat turned on to the N2 and the officers became conscious that the driver may have noticed them.

The car took off at speed, at one point hitting 160 kph in an 80 kph zone. As the Gardai closed the gap they saw a “large item” thrown out the passenger's side window. The car pulled up and the officers kept an eye on the vehicle to ensure nothing else was discarded.

The Gardaí spoke to the driver, Mr Doyle, who was acting “nervous and shifty”. Detective Sgt Brennan said there was a strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle, however a search of the car yielded no drugs.

The officers searched the area where they saw the item thrown out the window of the car. On inspection, Gardai found a Tesco bag containing two packs of cannabis with a total weight of 987.4 gramme, valued at €19,750.

In interview the men made no admissions about the drugs and said they were in the area visiting a cousin. They denied being at the garage even though the surveillance suggested otherwise.

Judge Johnson was told Joe Mears had two previous convictions, one for violent disorder and the other for possession of a firearm (a tasar). It was stated that John Doyle had “a large number” of previous convictions including 12 drug offences and a violent disorder conviction.

Ms Foynes accepted her client's previous convictions are “an issue”, but asked the judge to “consider giving him a final chance”. The barrister pointed out that Mr Doyle's probation report was very positive.

Counsel for Joe Mears, Gerard Groarke BL, said his client's father recently passed away and the defendant now plays a key role in caring for his six siblings. Mr Groarke pointed out that Mr Mears is recently married and was offered work with Jazz Pharmaceuticals in Athlone. Mr Groarke said Mr Mears entered an early plea of guilty and had cooperated to a certain degree.

In his summation Judge Johnson said he had “to send out a message that this is a serious offence” given the level of drugs involved: “Every tier of society is affected by this problem,” the judge said.

Judge Johnson noted the probation service described Mr Doyle as a “moderate risk” of reoffending. The judge said it was ironic that a man so involved in his community would be “involved in such activity”.

The judge stated that the headline sentence of 10 years could be reduced to five with mitigation and the final three of those could be suspended for a period of five years. The defendant will serve two years and enter a bond that on his release he will come under the supervision of probation service and pay €4,000 to the Merchants Quay drug project.

The sentencing of Joe Mears was adjourned to January 10 to allow for the preparation of an up to date probation report.