New Ross man jailed after drugs and money found

A NEW ROSS man was handed a prison sentence after drugs and money was found in his home.

Ibar Conway of 44 Brooklawn, New Ross, came before Judge Cormac Quinn for sentencing at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.

He had pleaded guilty to the possession of cannabis in herbal and resin forms for sale or supply at his home on October, 27, 2017; and also to a money laundering offence involving the sum of €17,995 on same occasion.

Judge Quinn said he had heard evidence in the case from the prosecuting garda, Garda Flynn, on an earlier date. The garda said he had gone to Conway’s home and gained entry having been met by the accused man.

He said that, following a search, Garda Flynn found the drugs, along with two weighing scales and the sum of €17,995.

The drugs found came to the value of €41,000.

The defendant was interviewed by gardaí and co-operated fully, telling the garda that he had financial difficulties.

The defendant, said Judge Quinn, was actually involved in drugs, admitting that he was selling drugs to pay off a drugs debt.

Outlining the aggravating factors, Judge Quinn said it was a very serious offence and he would have to take the nature of the drugs into account. In relation to the money laundering charge, he said it was a relatively large sum involved.

With regard to the mitigating circumstances, Judge Quinn said Conway co-operated with the garda investigation and had no previous convictions. He would also take into account the fact that he had not come to the attention of gardaí in the intervening period, had dealt with a drugs counsellor and is now drugs free.

Defence counsel Patrick McCarthy SC reminded the court that the Probation and Welfare report put his client at low risk of re-offending.

On the drugs offence, Judge Quinn said the headline sentence was five-and-a-half years but he would impose a sentence of three-and-a-half years.

On the money laundering offence, the headline sentence was four years but he would impose a concurrent sentence of two-and-half years.

Judge Quinn said he would suspend the final two years for two years on the condition the defendant enters a bond of €200 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour while in prison and also keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years upon his release.

On the application of prosecuting counsel Sinead Gleson, the judge ordered the destruction of the drugs and forfeiture of the money.