Cavan man is jailed for transporting over €1million worth of cannabis on the ferry

A truck driver who agreed to transport just over one million euro worth of cannabis in his vehicle on the ferry has been jailed for four and half years.

Gerard Doran (60) of Cornadarragh, Belturbet, Co. Cavan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Dublin Port on February 25, 2021. He also admitted to being in possession of Stg£4,195, knowing or being reckless as to whether it was the proceeds of crime.

Detective Garda Stephen Gillespie told Aoife McNickle BL, prosecuting, that Doran’s truck was searched after it came off a ferry from Holyhead in Wales.

Also read: Lifechanging lesson: Longford farm family take centre stage in RTÉ's Raised by the Village

A sniffer dog indicated that there was something of interest in the cab of the truck which led to the discovery of eight bags of cannabis herb. The drugs were worth €1,020,400.

Doran immediately accepted responsibility for the drugs and said that he had been paid Stg£4,195 to collect the drugs and bring them back to Ireland. He told officers where they could find the cash in the truck.

Det Gda Gillespie said further analysis of CCTV footage showed where the bags had been picked up and analysis of Doran’s phone led to the discovery of communications setting up the collection.

Also read: Jail term for distracting man in Longford retail outlet in order to steal cash from his wallet

Doran told gardaí he had been ill and that he was also under financial pressure at the time.

Det Gda Gillespie agreed with Michael Hourigan SC, defending, that his client fully co-operated with the garda investigation and had not been on the garda radar.

A number of testimonials were handed into court and counsel gave details of Doran’s medical issues. He said he had strong family support.

Also read: Wedding Bells: Longford couple celebrate marriage ceremony at Tankardstown House

Judge Martin Nolan said the dog was right when he indicated that something was in the truck but acknowledged that Doran “very quickly made full admissions”.

He accepted that Doran was under financial distress and “succumbed to temptation by reason of his vulnerability”.

“He knew that he was getting himself into a very difficult situation and he made a bad misjudgement,” Judge Nolan said.

Also read: Longford motorist fined €1,000 and banned from driving for three years

He accepted that by reason of his medical issues Doran’s time in custody would be more difficult before he sentenced him to four and half years in prison.