Longford man caught with over €14,000 of drugs avoids immediate prison term

A county Longford man, who was caught with more than €14,000 of drugs, has avoided jail and received a two and a half year suspended prison sentence.

Mark Keane (42) of Corboy, Edgeworthstown pleaded guilty to being in possession of drugs for sale or supply at Corboy, Edgeworthstown on September 25, 2024.

Garda David Conroy of the local Garda divisional drugs unit, said they searched a premises under warrant at Ballynagoshen, Edgeworthstown.

Garda Conroy said when they arrived the property was empty but they managed to gain entry and they were present for 45-minutes before the defendant returned.

Garda Conroy said there were several bags of drugs located in in the living room and sitting room area and a small amount in his vehicle.

"In one of the rooms there was three large bags of cannabis, in one of the other rooms there was four smaller zip-locked bags of cannabis and two electronic weighing scales were recovered with one of those in his vehicle when he returned."

The value of the cannabis seized was €14,369.

Garda Conroy said they also found a roll of clingfilm, a box of zip-locked bags, a glass jar and a box that contained cannabis.

"One of the bedrooms was insulated and foil lined set up for the cultivation of cannabis and there was a sophisticated lighting system with fans and ventilation installed in the room," he added.

Garda Conroy said the defendant was arrested and he made full admissions.

"He said he had grown it all himself for the past four to -four-and-a-half-months."

The court heard a small amount of cocaine valued at €11 was also found on the defendant who Garda Conroy said had no trappings of wealth.

"There was also no evidence on his mobile phone that he was drug dealing."

The defendant had two previous convictions.

Barrister Niall Flynn said Mr Keane had been renting the property for €900 per month from another person 'well known to gardaí' and the equipment was valued at over €4,000, however, the defendant was on weekly social welfare of €217.

"I would respectfully say there were other players involved in an operation of this scale," he added.

Mr Flynn said Mr Keane, a father of two, was not 'habitually coming to the attention of Gardaí' and he he is currently staying in a dry hostel in Belfast.

The barrister stated Mr Keane comes from a decent family and he was being supported by his sister in court and his family and trying to turn his life around.

Mr Flynn said Mr Keane was now free of drugs and he asked Judge Dunphy not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

The defendant's sister Rebecca said her and their mother suspected he has undiagnosed ADHD and he started taking cannabis at a young age and he has had a 'chaotic' life, but he is not a bad person.

Judge Dunphy decided to impose a two and a half year prison sentence, which was suspended for three years.

The defendant was also placed under the supervision of the Probation Service for three years and directed to attend all appointments and follow all of their guidelines.

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