'Under threat' Longford drugs courier must complete 200 hours of community service

A defendant described as “a courier for drugs, not the owner or vendor” avoided a custodial sentence, but must undertake 200 hours of community service following his convictions at Longford Circuit Court.
Thomas Callinan of 23 Annaly Gardens, Longford pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply at Ballykenny, Newtownforbes, Longford on October 27, 2022 before Judge Kenneth Connolly.

The defendant came to Gardaí attention after his car was stopped and searched close to Newtownforbes following an Operation Tara surveillance operation. Operation Tara is a Garda campaign to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels.
The court heard Mr Callinan had retrieved the cannabis herb from a bin bag in a barrel in an area officers had under observation.

A subsequent search of the area with drug detector dogs found two other parcels of the drugs “left out for collection” for other parties.
The value of the drugs Mr Callinan had was €2,138. He made “immediate admissions” and was described as “a courier for the drugs, not the owner or vendor”.
His legal representative said that while the defendant knew he was collecting drugs he believed he was “under threat” if he did not because of a debt.

Mr Callinan was described as having “limited education” and has not come to subsequent Garda notice.”
The court was told the probation service report identified the defendant as “a moderate risk of reoffending”.
Judge Connolly also heard a probation assessment showed the defendant was deemed suitable for community service.
The judge set a headline sentence of 22 months for the section 3 misuse of drugs, but added he could reduce that to 16 months.

In concluding the matter Judge Connolly directed the defendant undertake 200 hours of community service in lieu of the 16 month sentence.
A destruction order was issued for all the drugs seized in the Garda operation.

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