10-year term for 'heroin-mixing factory' owner

A convicted drug dealer and robber who was operating "a heroin mixing factory" in west Dublin has been jailed for 10 years by Judge Thomas Teehan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Philip Delaney (aged 34) of St Aongus Road, Tallaght was found guilty earlier this month by a 10-one majority of the jury after a three-day trial of having heroin valued some €84,000 for sale or supply on December 6, 2004.

Delaney’s 14 previous convictions include a 12-year sentence imposed by Judge Cyril Kelly at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 1998 when the court was told he was the person who introduced heroin to Tallaght. That sentence was reduced to seven years on appeal.

Unemployed and the father of two young children, Delaney has a total of 14 previous convictions dating back to 1987, including a four-year sentence in 1994 for robbery and possession of a firearm.

His first drugs conviction was in 1990 when he was given a six-month sentence.

Detective Garda Frank O’Neill told Mr Luan O Braonain BL, prosecuting, that on receipt of confidential information, surveillance was placed on the Allenton Drive premises on December 6, 2004 while a search warrant was also procured.

Delaney’s cousin, Christopher Markouski was seen at the house by watching gardai and later Delaney arrived carrying a large bag. The house was then entered by gardaí who found all the signs that a room was being used as a heroin-mixing factory.

Det Garda O’Neill said he was covered in heroin powder when he successfully stopped Delaney from leaving by a bedroom window. Markouski took responsibility for the heroin and other items found and was given a six-year sentence with two suspended when he pleaded guilty some time ago.

Judge Teehan noted that the crime carried a possible life sentence and there was not enough in Delaney’s favour to enable the court to impose less than the mandatory minimum 10-year term.

Delaney pleaded guilty at the start of his trial to possession of a small bag containing heroin which was found in a bedroom at the house on the same date.