A truck-driver found in possession of almost €16 million worth of cocaine and cannabis has been jailed for five years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Citing "exceptional circumstances", Judge Desmond Hogan suspended the last two years of the sentence. He said it was evident that the defendant, Julian Gilloughley (28), "became involved because of a real and present fear of violence being perpetrated against himself and his family".
Gilloughley, originally from Cloghran, Co Dublin, but with an address at Henrietta Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession for sale and supply of nearly a metric tonne of cannabis resin worth €12.42 million, and 78 blocks of cocaine worth €3.08 million, on April 19th, 2003.
Det Garda Lorraine Travers told prosecuting counsel, Mr Fergal Foley, that on foot of confidential information a large number of gardaí had followed a lorry in and around the area of Lusk, north Co Dublin. Det Garda Travers said there were signs of recent welding in the trailer part of the lorry. Further investigation revealed 36 bales of cannabis weighing 978 kgs in a hidden compartment under the floor of the vehicle.
Gardaí also uncovered 30.8 kgs of cocaine hidden in a shed at the home of Gilloughley's co-accused, the man who had been driving the lorry in which the cannabis resin was found. He has not yet appeared before the courts.
Det Garda Travers said Gilloughley, who was interviewed for two days by gardaí and admitted his role in the crime, had handed them the keys to the shed. He said he used to work for the other man and had rejoined the company shortly before the incident after resigning for non-payment of wages.
The two men had ostensibly been transporting peat briquettes in the truck and had travelled from France to Spain where they had collected the drugs before travelling back to Dublin.
Defence counsel Mr George Birmingham SC (with Ms Caroline Biggs) said although his client had been granted bail, he had gone into custody at his own request because he was afraid for his life.
Det Garda Travers agreed with Mr Birmingham that Gilloughley was the subordinate in the crime and that it appeared he had become involved "at the behest" of his then employer and co-accused. Ms Biggs said a plea of guilty to possession for sale and supply usually carried a minimum sentence of 10 years, but there were exceptional circumstances under which the minimum sentence could be reduced.
Judge Hogan agreed there were a number of circumstances that would render it unjust to put Gilloughley in jail for 10 years.