HEROIN STASH FARMER GIVEN JAIL TIME
A FARMER who pled guilty to possessing over half a million euro worth of cocaine, heroin and tablets was jailed yesterday for six years with the final 18 months suspended.
The court heard that Charles Magill (61) told gardaí he was delivering drugs for unnamed criminals in order to pay off a drug debt which his then partner had accrued.
Magill and convicted Limerick drug dealer Vincent Collopy were arrested during a garda operation which resulted in the seizure of €1.4million worth of cocaine, heroin and tablets on May 29, 2022.
Magill admitted 16 charges, including two counts of possessing almost €600,000 worth of drugs for sale or supply, as well as having €49,000 in cash, contrary to money laundering legislation.
Gardai observed Magill, with addresses at his family farm at Knockainey, Co Limerick, and at Rivers, Lisnagry, Co Limerick, deliver a drugs package at Corbally, Co Clare.
Gardai then observed a vehicle arriving at the location and retrieve the package.
When Gardai pursued this vehicle they observed one of the occupants throwing the package from the car.
Duties
final 18 months suspended after he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine worth around €10,000 for sale or supply.
In follow up searches of Magill’s house in Lisnagry and a farm in Knockainey, Gardai recovered €385,000 worth of cocaine, €130,000 worth of heroin, €81,000 worth of tablets, and the €49,000 in cash.
Magill told gardai he was “coerced” by others who the judge said were involved in the “organised sale and distribution of drugs in Limerick City”. Judge Tom O’Donnell said Magill told
Gardai he was holding the drugs “to reduce a drugs debt which in the main belonged to his partner”.
The judge said Magill was “given instructions of where to go to make deliveries, but he was afraid to identify those involved”.
He said Magill was seen by the drug gang as a “highly trusted person”.