A taxi driver who was caught with heroin valued at €1 million has been given a ten year mandatory minimum sentence.
Paul Brien (43) of Saul Road, Crumlin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply on the Ballybough Road and at Marigold Crescent, Darndale on April 24th, 2008. He had one previous conviction for larceny.
Detective Garda Eamonn Tighe told Paul Greene BL, prosecuting, that gardaí stopped Brien’s taxi on the Ballybough Road following the receipt of confidential information, when half a kilogram of heroin was found in the vehicle. His passenger has been charged with the same offence but is awaiting trial in February.
A further 4.5 kilos of the drugs were later found in the wardrobe of the bedroom he shared with his partner.
Judge Frank O’Donnell said he could see “no redeeming features” in the case and noted “if the mandatory minimum sentence is to have any relevance I have to impose it.” He gave Brien credit for time already served in custody.
Det Gda Tighe said that Brien later took full responsibility for the drugs and said he had agreed to transport the smaller haul from under the direction of another person in order to pay off a cocaine debt he had run up. He also took responsibility for the larger haul found in his home and claimed that he had been holding it for the same person.