A bereaved father who became involved in a €2 million cannabis operation to cover the bill for his daughter's funeral has received a 10-year prison sentence.
Terry O'Donoghue (50) of Ely Close, Old Court Road, Tallaght in Dublin pleaded guilty to possessing €2 million worth of cannabis herb at a slip road off the N7 at Castlewarden in Co. Kildare and at Cookstown Industrial Estate in Tallaght in February of last year.
He told gardai that a man had approached him in a pub shortly after his teenage daughter had died, and asked if he had enough money to cover the funeral.
He said he borrowed €2,500 from this person and got involved delivering drugs to off-set the debt.
His co-accused Michael Lawlor (40) of Cois Na Choil, Pollerton in Carlow pleaded guilty to possessing just over €600,000 worth of cannabis herb in Castlewarden in Co. Kildare.
He received a seven year prison term. Mr. Lawlor admitted he was a compulsive gambler and acted as a 'low level courier' in the drugs operation for 'handy money'. He said he was to be paid €500 for his part.
Judge Mary-Ellen Ring said that both men were strangers to each other who had been identified as vulnerable. They were exploited by others to play an essential role in a significant drugs operation.
The court heard that Mr. O'Donoghue had received €600 and been promised 'a few bob at Christmas' for his role. Judge Ring suspended the last year on both sentences.
