By Sonya McLean
A man who was caught with drugs during a large surveillance operation on a suspected dealer has been given a suspended prison sentence of three years.
Jamie Malone (23) was not the target of the operation that had been launched by gardaí in November 2024 but he was caught receiving a bag of cocaine.
The drugs were later found in a hidden compartment in his car.
Malone of Brides Glen Park, Swords, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having drugs for sale or supply in Swords on November 27, 2024.
Detective Garda Val Russell told the court that gardaí from the National Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau were alerted to the drug dealing activities of Shane Mulvey (26) following a confidential tip-off, leading to them placing him under surveillance.
The former supermarket manager was jailed for eight years last June after he was caught in possession of over €2.6 million in drugs – much of it stashed in his apartment’s spare room.
Mulvey, of Olcovar, Shankill, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to one count of possessing drugs for sale or supply, one count of possessing the proceeds of crime and one count of possessing an article in connection with a crime.
He has three minor previous convictions for road traffic offences.
Mulvey was seen handing over one kilo of cocaine to Malone at a car park in Swords and arrested.
A further 14 kilos of cocaine were found in a “sophisticated” concealed unit inside Mulvey’s car, with a street value of about €1 million, the court heard.
When Mulvey’s apartment in Shankill was searched, more cocaine was discovered stashed in his spare bedroom, along with amphetamine, cannabis, MDMA, a mixing agent, a counting machine and other drug paraphernalia. €66,700 in cash was also seized.
The total value of the drugs seized was €2.6 million, the court heard.
Det Gda Russell told Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, that nothing was found during an initial search of the Citroen Berlingo van Malone had been driving when gardaí stopped him.
The vehicle was detained by gardaí and a hidden button was found in the glovebox.
When this button was pressed a hidden door was released in the back of the vehicle.
A kilogramme of cocaine was found in the compartment, with an estimated street value of €72,000.
Det Gda Russell said Malone was interviewed twice and later provided a prepared statement.
He said he owed a drug debt and he was being forced to transport the drugs.
He said the vehicle was modified by somebody to facilitate the transportation.
Two mobile phones were also found but he didn’t give gardaí the access codes for these phones.
Det Gda Russell agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that Malone was not the target of the operation and that nothing was found during a follow up search of his home.
He has since undergone 12 weeks rehabilitation and Mr Bowman said he “has committed himself to righting the wrong he has done”.
Malone is working and does charity work for the homeless.
A number of testimonials were handed up on his behalf and he provided clean urine analysis.
“He fell into the clutches of those who had taken advantage of him,” Mr Bowman said.
Judge Martin Nolan said that in sentencing Malone he was taking into consideration his guilty plea and his youth at the time of the offending as mitigating factors.
He said that Malone probably would not come before the court again and would probably go on to lead a meaningful life.
He suspended in full a three-year prison sentence on condition that Malone keep the peace and be of good behaviour.