Jail for grandfather caught holding over €700,000 of drugs

By Fiona Ferguson

A grandfather who was caught holding over €700,000 of drugs in order to repay a €20,000 drug debt will begin a six-year jail term in the New Year.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Jason Elliot (53) will undergo surgery next month, and the start of the sentence was adjourned to February to allow him to recover from the operation.

Elliot, with an address at Ballyfermot Drive, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs at a house on Ballyfermot Avenue on August 23, 2023. He has no previous convictions.

He further pleaded guilty to possession or control of two vehicles with hidden compartments for use in drug trafficking offences on the same occasion.

Passing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said it seemed Elliot had a drug addiction and developed a serious debt, which placed him under an obligation to third parties.

He said he should have done the “decent thing” and not obeyed, but noted there was pressure on him.

Judge Nolan said the mitigation was clear and included his guilty plea, co-operation in relation to his own role, lack of prior convictions and that he was unlikely to reoffend.

The judge said Elliot was a good community man and a good family man, with a long work history.

Judge Nolan imposed a six-year sentence, which is to begin on February 26, 2026.

Garda Dean O’Neill told Karl Moran BL, prosecuting, that gardai acting on confidential information searched the premises and found cocaine and MDMA tablets with a total value of €732,120.

Two vans, a Renault Kangoo and a VW Caddy, were found in the driveway and across the road from the house, with concealed compartments. Packaging matching that found in the house was in one of the compartments, and the other was empty.

Gda O’Neill said Elliot took responsibility for the drugs and told them he had a €20,00 drug debt.

Michael Bowman SC, defending, said Elliot’s drug issues had got out of control during Covid, and he had run up a debt. He was asked to hold the drugs and understood he was to do what he was told. He said he had fallen into circumstance he did not know how to get out of.

Mr Bowman said Elliot had financial issues and was not a man displaying any trappings of wealth.

He said Elliot had come to Ireland 29 years ago and has had a consistent work history since. He is married with children and grandchildren. Due to the case, he had been unable to return home to the UK to see his sick mother.

Mr Bowman said his family were in court to support him and handed in letters and testimonials to the court. He said Elliot was a man who had made a positive contribution to his community.

He asked the court to take into account his previously unblemished record and his low risk of reoffending. He said his client is engaging with services to deal with his issues and asked the court to take into account his rehabilitation.

Counsel said Elliot had fallen into addiction and as a result had fallen into the clutches of people who exploited that vulnerability. He outlined to the court that his client had been in fear.