Suspended sentence after fingerprints found on package of cocaine

By Jessica Magee

A man has been given a suspended sentence after one of his fingerprints was found on a package of cocaine worth over €53,000.

Ciaran Brogan (35) of Newrath View, Kells, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply in a house in west Dublin on September 21, 2018.

At a hearing yesterday, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the package attributed to Brogan was part of a much larger consignment of nearly half a million euro worth of heroin and cocaine.

Co-accused John Kelly (32) was previously sentenced to four and a half years in prison for possessing drugs worth €452,410 in his bedroom at Parlickstown Green, Mulhuddart on the date in question.

Another count of possessing ammunition was taken into consideration when Kelly was sentenced in May 2021 by Judge Martin Nolan.

The court heard that the cocaine had a total value of €65,000 while the heroin had a street value of €387,480.

Judge Orla Crowe described the case against Brogan as “highly unusual and unique”, in that it was accepted by the State that he had no proprietary interest in the drugs.

The court heard that a single fingerprint of Brogan’s was found on one package of cocaine valued at €53,000, which was the only amount attributed to him.

The address where the drugs were found was the home of one of Brogan’s family members, the court heard.

Garda Tara Byrne told Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, that Brogan was arrested by appointment and made no comment when questioned.

He has 32 previous convictions including assault, criminal damage and unauthorised taking, however they mostly date back to before 2009, apart from two minor traffic convictions.

Fiona Murphy SC, defending, said Brogan had genuine remorse for his involvement and was making serious efforts never to be involved in such an offence again.

A probation report placed Brogan at low risk of reoffending, while a psychological report said he had cognitive limitations as regards seeing the consequences of his actions.

The court heard that both of Brogan’s parents were deceased after suffering from addiction issues.

Brogan’s teenage years were “difficult and traumatic,” counsel said, during which he was largely left to his own devices and began drinking and experimenting with drugs.

The court heard that Brogan was hanging out with the co-accused at the time of the offence and with a circle of friends “who were not helping him”.

Judge Crowe said Brogan had made big efforts to reform himself and had pleaded early.

She said Brogan had a “clear sense of remorse and focus” and was a very engaged father to his two daughters.

She noted letters from his ex-wife, daughter, employer, friends and his current partner.

Brogan was handed a fully-suspended sentence of 15 months and ordered to abide by the supervision of the probation services for 12 months and keep the peace for two years.