Courts / Dublin / Report

Vulnerable man "somewhat coerced" to work in cannabis grow house

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 32‑year‑old Lithuanian Andrius Gnizinskas pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis at a grow house on St Patrick's Road, Drumcondra. The court found he had been "somewhat coerced" into coming to Ireland after being trafficked to the UK, and that he had no role in setting up the operation or profiting from it. The grow house contained 180 mature plants valued at €144,000 and sophisticated equipment. Gnizinskas was the only person present when Gardaí searched the property. Judge Karen O'Connor accepted his plea as saving state resources, noted his vulnerability, and imposed a three‑year sentence with the final two years suspended. The court highlighted that he had been a very low‑level participant, a gardener, and had cooperated with the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Lorcan Staines BL.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Vulnerable man "somewhat coerced" to work in cannabis grow house. Charges or matters: cultivating cannabis plants at St Patrick's Road, Drumcondra on January 4, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 4, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report