By Eimear Dodd
A man transporting over €215,000 of cannabis was put under pressure by others after his €1,000 drugs debt ballooned to €26,000, a court has heard.
James Glynn (33) of Claraoibhinn, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on November 12, 2023, at Pinewood Park, Tallaght Co. Dublin.
He has no previous convictions and has not come to garda attention since this incident.
Detective Garda Enda Gromley told prosecuting counsel yesterday that gardai were carrying out a surveillance operation after receiving confidential information.
They observed Glynn stop his Toyota car and then engage with two other men.
A Honda car driven by one of these men was reversed towards the boot of the Toyota, and a large suitcase was transferred into the boot.
Gardai later stopped Glynn’s car.
He told them there was “weed” in the boot.
After caution, he said two suitcases of weed were in the boot, but he didn’t know the value.
Det Gda Gormley said Glynn seemed “shaky and alarmed” at the scene but also “almost happy to be caught” as this would bring an end to it.
He told gardai that he smoked cannabis and was made to do this as he had built up a drug debt of €27,000.
10.7kg of cannabis was found in the suitcases, with a value of €215,940.
Glynn made further admissions when gardai interviewed him.
He said he was the subject of extortion as he had run up a drug debt of €1,000, which he ignored for a few weeks as he was moving from Dublin back home to Mayo.
When he went to deal with the debt, he was told that a “tax” had to be paid, and he now owed €26,000.
He said he was told he could deal with the drug debt by carrying out jobs.
Det Gda Gormley said Glynn was not due to profit from his involvement beyond repaying his debt.
The witness agreed with Kathleen Leader SC, defending, that her client was cooperative and made admissions during interview.
It was also accepted that Glynn told gardai he started to take cannabis to self-medicate arising from a childhood trauma.
He also admitted to taking other drugs from time to time, including ketamine and cocaine.
Det Gda Gormley agreed that Glynn said he built up a small drug debt that he did not deal with while he was moving from Dublin back to Mayo, which became a more significant debt.
He agreed with Ms Leader that Glynn was subject to credible threats and accepted that the defendant did not wish to ask his family for further money to repay these debts.
It was further accepted that his family are supportive, respectful and hard-working.
The witness agreed Glynn is remorseful and aware of the upset caused to his family.
Certain garda materials in relation to the co-accused were handed to the court, but not read aloud.
One of the co-accused has already been sentenced by the courts, with the other due to be sentenced in early 2025.
A probation report and a number of references were handed to the court.
Ms Leader said her client is working and living a pro-social life in Mayo, where he volunteers with a local charity.
She said her client suffered a childhood trauma unrelated to his family, which he didn’t deal with appropriately.
He is now attending counselling and a letter was handed up from his counsellor.
Ms Leader asked the court to take into account that her client was subject to credible threats and was under pressure at the time but is now doing his best to live pro-socially.
He no longer relies on alcohol and cannabis.
Counsel said his client is aware of the “devastating impact” of drugs on communities and on his family.
He is very remorseful and regretful.
Ms. Leader submitted that there are exceptional features to this case and asked the court to consider imposing a suspended sentence in light of the mitigation.
Judge Pauline Codd commended the gardai for their work on this occasion.
She said the “significant” value of the drugs was the most aggravating factor in this case, and Glynn was “actively” transporting drugs.
The judge said there must be deterrence because the dissemination of drugs causes “misery” not only for addicts and their families but also for communities.
Judge Codd said it would be unjust to impose the mandatory minimum sentence in this case in light of Glynn’s guilty plea, co-operation and material provided by gardai.
She noted the mitigating features, including the guilty plea, Glynn’s personal circumstances and that he was under threat at the time.
She said it was “extraordinary” that a debt of €1,000 could jump to €26,000 “at the whim of people higher up the drugs trade”.
Judge Codd said Glynn turned to “maladaptive means” to deal with his trauma but is now in counselling and taking steps to address the issues which underline his addiction.
She noted he was a “vulnerable” individual who was being threatened at the time but has demonstrated insight into the impact of his offending on society and on his family.
She said this case fell into the exceptional category and imposed a sentence of four and a half years, suspended in full on strict conditions, including 12-month probation supervision and that he must continue to attend counselling appointments.