Courts / Dublin / Report

All-Ireland boxing medalist and brother jailed for harvesting cannabis

Summary

Simon O'Donnell and Francis O'Donnell were sentenced to two years in prison each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of 244 cannabis plants valued at €195,000. The plants were found at a house in Meakstown Close on June 21, 2014. Gardaí discovered the defendants clipping branches from mature plants in a boarded-up house, alongside 65 plants in early growth stages, fans, lights, and plant food. Judge Martin Nolan noted that the brothers, who are volunteer boxing coaches, were "lower cogs in the drug producing enterprise" who were rewarded for harvesting the cannabis. Defence counsel highlighted that Simon, a father of six, was dependent on cannabis and medication, while Francis, an All-Ireland boxing medalist and father of three, used drugs recreationally following his father's death. Both men claimed they were paid an ounce of cannabis per hour of work. The court accepted that the defendants did not hold keys to the property. Judge Nolan acknowledged that the men are well-regarded in their community before imposing the two-year custodial sentences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: All-Ireland boxing medalist and brother jailed for harvesting cannabis. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of a total of 244 cannabis plants with a value of €195,000 at a house in Meakstown Close on June 21, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 21, 2014 Incident
• 2015-07-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report