Man caught with large cannabis haul never in trouble before

A father-of-three with no previous convictions will be sentenced next month for possession of €658,000 worth of cannabis.

Thomas Carroll (aged 32) was not known to gardaí and has been in full employment all his adult life, the court heard. His counsel claimed, he became involved in dealing the drugs due to addiction problems.

Carroll of The Strand, Donabate pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession with intent to supply of 94kgs of cannabis outside Donaghmede Shopping Centre on April 7, 2009.

Detective Garda Daragh O’Toole told prosecuting counsel, Mr Garrett Baker BL, that after receiving information about a drug deal, a surveillance operation was set up at the shopping centre.

Gardaí saw a blue Ford Transit Van enter the car park and come to a stop. A silver Ford Fiesta, driven by Carroll, parked beside it.

Gardaí saw the men take 14 boxes from the van and put them in the boot of the car before both vehicles drove off. As they were on the motorway gardaí pulled both men over.

A search of Carroll’s car revealed the boxes in the boot. They were labelled as containing tiles but actually contained bars of cannabis. He was arrested and interviewed but made no admissions.

Defence counsel, Mr Paul Greene SC, said his client was married with three children and had worked as a carpenter since living school.

Judge Katherine Delahunt accepted a defence application to adjourn sentencing and remanded carroll in custody until next month.