Dublin man on temporary release caught with €28,000 worth of drugs
A Dublin man with a previous drugs conviction has been sent back to jail for 10 years after he was found with almost €28,000 of cannabis herb, cocaine and heroin in his home and car.
Paul Mooney (aged 27) had been on temporary release from a five-year sentence for possessing €70,000 of drugs when patrolling gardaí spotted him sitting in the dark in his car with another man.
Detective Garda Colm Reynolds said when he and his colleague approached the car, something was thrown from the driver’s side. Mooney was in the passenger seat and had over €2,000 cash in his hand.
He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing a total €27,900 of drugs in sports bags in his home at Ring Street, Inchicore on December 8, 2012.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing €2,000 on a grass verge near his car. He has seven previous convictions, including the drugs offence and criminal damage.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Mooney to 10 years in jail, backdated to February 15, 2013, when he entered custody.
However, she ordered that the sentence be reviewed in February 11, 2019, which will be six years after he went into jail.
Judge Ring said she was taking into account that Mooney offended while on temporary release, but also that the value of the drugs was relatively at the lower end of the scale.
She said other considerations included Mooney's young age and the fact that he has already served a considerable period in custody.
Det Gda Reynolds told John Byrne BL, prosecuting, at a sentence hearing last May that Mooney took full responsibility for the drugs found in his home and said he owed people a few thousand euro.
The detective agreed with Mary Rose Gearty SC, defending, that her client had a cocaine issue.
Ms Gearty had previously asked Judge Ring to adjourn the sentence so that Mooney could complete a number of courses he has started in prison.
She since confirmed that he completed a large number of courses including a Samaritans listening course.
A letter from Mooney’s aunt stated that she was willing to offer him a home on his eventual release from prison and her daughter would be able to provide him with work.
Mooney told Judge Ring that he is drug-free now in prison and addressed his family, who were in court, telling them that he appreciates their support.
He said has since developed his relationship with his five-year-old son and was getting on well with the child’s mother.
“You will never see me in court again, you have my word on that,” Mooney told Judge Ring after apologising for getting involved in drugs again.
