Driver awaits sentencing for €15.5m drug find
A 28-year-old truck driver found in possession of almost €16m worth of cocaine and cannabis resin has been remanded in custody for sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Julian Gilloughley, originally from Cloghran, Co Dublin but with an address at Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to possession for sale and supply of nearly a metric ton of cannabis resin worth €12.42m and 78 blocks of cocaine worth €3.08m on April 19, 2003.
Detective Garda Lorraine Travers told prosecuting counsel, Mr Fergal Foley BL, that on foot of confidential information a large number of gardaí had followed a motor lorry in and around the area of Lusk in north Co Dublin.
The lorry was seen driving on the main Dublin to Belfast road and gardaí followed it until it turned into Bentley’s, a container yard, in Treen Hill, Lusk.
Det. Garda Travers said there were signs of recent welding in the trailer part of the lorry and further investigation revealed 36 bales of cannabis weighing a total of 978 kilograms, valued €12.42m, in a hidden compartment under the floor of the vehicle.
Gardaí also uncovered 30.8 kilograms of cocaine worth €3.08m hidden in a shed at the home of Gilloughley’s co-accused, the man who had been driving the lorry in which the cannabis resin was found.
He has not appeared before the courts yet.
Det Gda Travers said Gilloughley, who was interviewed for two days by gardaí and admitted his role in the crime, had handed them the keys to the shed.
He said he used to work for the other man and had rejoined the company shortly before the incident after resigning for non-payment of wages.
The two men had ostensibly been transporting peat briquettes in the truck and had travelled from France to Spain where they had collected the drugs before travelling back to Dublin.
Mr George Birmingham SC (with Ms Caroline Biggs BL), defence counsel for Gilloughley, said although his client had been granted bail, he had gone into custody at his own request because he was afraid for his life.
Det. Gda Travers agreed with Mr Birmingham that Gilloughley was the subordinate in the crime and that it appeared he had become involved "at the behest" of his then employer and co-accused.
Judge Desmond Hogan acceded to a request made by Mr Birmingham for further time to prepare extensive reports which the defence plans to submit at the sentence hearing and adjourned the sentence hearing for July 30.
