Courts / Dublin / Report

Drugs trade "gilly" jailed for six years for cannabis and handgun possession

Summary

Keith Donovan, a 30‑year‑old from Cabra, Dublin, was sentenced to six years in prison for possessing 14.2 kilos of cannabis and a handgun with three rounds of ammunition. He was arrested after a Garda National Drugs Unit surveillance operation and admitted to holding and transporting the drugs at a rented premises in Arbour Hill. Donovan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and cooperated with investigators. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted Donovan's early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and his role as a low‑level "gilly" or pawn in the drug trade. He was also a father and had no previous serious offences. These mitigating factors led the judge to depart from the mandatory 10‑year sentence for the drug offence and impose a six‑year term. Donovan's sentence reflects the court's consideration of his cooperation and personal circumstances.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drugs trade "gilly" jailed for six years for cannabis and handgun possession. Charges or matters: possessing a handgun and three rounds of ammunition on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 17, 2014 Incident
• 2015-04-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Firearms Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report