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Derek Callaghan (65) pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 19, 2022
Derek Callaghan (65) pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 19, 2022.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence that when gardai searched Callaghan’s address at Ashfield Grove, Huntstown, Dublin 15, they found 608g of cannabis, worth €13,608, in the house.
€3,110 in cash was also found during the search, along with other drugs paraphernalia, a ticklist and a burner phone.
After caution, Callaghan accepted responsibility for the drugs, but denied selling them.
While gardai were in the house, they answered a phone and, on this call, a person asked for ’25 bags’.
Callaghan also told gardai that the cash was savings. He denied selling drugs from his address.
When interviewed, Callaghan repeated his admissions. He said the cash was his, disputing that it had come from selling drugs.
Callaghan has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence.
The investigating garda agreed with Carol Doherty BL, defending, that Callaghan has an otherwise “unblemished record” and that it is “strange” for a man of his age to come before the court on such a serious charge.
He agreed that Callaghan had a “stellar army career”, has three adult children and grandchildren.
The garda further accepted that Callaghan had been put under pressure.
Ms Doherty asked the court to take into account the garda’s evidence that her client was “acting as a result of various forces in the background”.
She said her client understands he engaged in criminal activity and must face the consequences of this.
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Her client is deeply embarrassed, ashamed and worried for his future. Counsel said Callaghan has two dogs and is concerned about their future care.
A number of testimonials, medical reports and other documents were handed to the court.
Ms Doherty asked the court to consider not imposing an immediate custodial sentence.
Judge Orla Crowe had adjourned the case having heard evidence earlier this month.
She said that the court sees every day the consequences of drug dealing, “the misery and chaos that it spreads, not only to victims but also the children of drug dealers”.
She said it is evident “right throughout society in every conceivable way” and Callaghan would have well known that this was the case.
Judge Crowe described this as “a very unusual case” in that he was an older man, who had otherwise lived a law-abiding life but she added that he was “acting on his own volition”.
She said a headline sentence of four years was justified in the case but reduced this to three years having taken the mitigating features of the case into account.
“I am going to give this man a chance,” Judge Crowe said before she suspended that three-year term for five years on strict conditions.
“}]] A grandfather who had a “stellar career in the army” has been given a three-year suspended sentence for possession of over €13,000 of cannabis. Read More
