Courts / Dublin / Report
Pair "preyed upon" to act as drugs mules, court hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Derek Naylor, 46, and Paul Goddard, 57, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin and related drugs. Gardaí, acting on confidential information, tracked the men and discovered they had acted as mules for a drug operation, transporting almost €150,000 of cannabis resin. Naylor, a taxi driver with no prior convictions, admitted he was involved to repay a drug debt and was later found with three bags of resin worth €147,498. Goddard, who had four prior traffic convictions, admitted possession of amphetamine and cannabis at his home and claimed he was paid €1,000 for his role. Both men were described by the Garda as "just mules" who were "preyed upon" by others. Judge Karen O'Connor ordered probation reports and adjourned sentencing until December 8, 2017. The case highlighted the men's remorse, their lack of prior drug involvement, and the threat they faced from the drug network.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair "preyed upon" to act as drugs mules, court hears. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 24, 2016 Incident
- December 8, 2017 Adjournment
- 2017-10-09 Publication
Why: He told gardaí he became involved in the offence because he owed money for a drug debt. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Naylor, a taxi driver, has no previous convictions and Goddard has four previous convictions for minor road traffic offences Judge Karen O'Connor ordered probation reports and adjourned sentencing until December 8, 2017.
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis resin at Clearwater Shopping Centre car park, Finglas on August 24, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Naylor, a taxi driver, has no previous convictions and Goddard has four previous convictions for minor road traffic offences Judge Karen O'Connor ordered probation reports and adjourned sentencing until December 8, 2017.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Taxi Trouble
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