Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who played for Ireland and QPR as a teenager is jailed for transporting €115,000 in cannabis

Date
2015-07-07
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Keith Farrelly, 40, of Kilbarrack, Dublin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to transporting 5.7 kg of cannabis worth €115,945 on 9 September 2014. Garda James McGeough reported that Farrelly was under surveillance following a tip, and that he left an apartment in Baldoyle in a Nissan Almera with a shopping bag in the boot. A search of the vehicle uncovered 1.6 kg of cannabis worth €32,000, and a subsequent search of the apartment revealed an additional 4.1 kg worth €84,000 in a locked press. Farrelly's defence highlighted his early football career, his family responsibilities, and a gambling debt that he claimed motivated his involvement. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Farrelly was a low‑level participant and imposed the three‑year term. The court noted that Farrelly had no prior relevant record and had admitted the offence. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who played for Ireland and QPR as a teenager is jailed for transporting €115,000 in cannabis. Charges or matters: having 5.7 Kg of cannabis worth an estimated €115,945 on September 9, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Judge Nolan accepted Farrelly was under pressure because of a gambling debt that others became aware of and that he believed his daughter was being threatened by those parties. CNI source report

Case subjects

Keith Farrelly

Defendant

Charges: having 5.7 Kg of cannabis worth an estimated €115,945 on September 9, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Queen Park

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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