Man jailed on drugs and ammunition charge

A father of two who transported almost €34,000 worth of cocaine and 249 rounds of viable ammunition almost six years ago has been jailed for four years.

Robert Hunt, aged 35, moved to England for work shortly after being charged by gardaí in 2008, but returned voluntarily this year to face the case.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the ammunition and 485 grammes of cocaine, worth €33,978, for sale or supply on Old Cabra Road, Dublin, on November 24, 2008.

Judge Martin Nolan said it was “a very substantial amount of useful ammunition which was obviously going to be used to shoot people and for other illicit activities”.

He accepted that although Hunt made no admissions in his subsequent garda interviews, he returned to Ireland to have the case dealt with after there were “technical difficulties” bringing it to court in the first instance. He sentenced Hunt to four years in prison after taking into account his modest criminal record. He took the drug possession charge into account.

Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, defending, handed in a booklet of testimonials to Judge Nolan which he said included a letter of apology from his client.