A MAN convicted of having £300,000 worth of cannabis resin with intent to supply was jailed for six years at Trim Circuit Court yesterday. The court heard that Vincent Donegan (32) of Monasterboice, Co Louth, had played the role of the "donkey" and was not the main player.
After a three day trial earlier this month, a jury found him guilty, by majority decisions, of possessing the drugs and possessing them with intent to supply, at Monasterboice on May 28th 1995.
The 154 bars were individually wrapped and contained in two black plastic bags, which Donegan had left at the base of a tree near the Monasterboice Inn, the jury heard.
Passing sentence, Judge Patrick Smith said Donegan had been "the middle man" and the cannabis would in all probability have been collected by another person. The drugs had a street value in excess of £300,000 and would have made 367,317 cigarettes, he said.
He commended gardai on a thorough and prompt investigation and also commended staff at the Monasterboice Inn, who had alerted gardai. The jury heard they had seen two men in the rear car park with the plastic bags in the early hours of May 28th, and had raised the alarm.
Mr Michael O'Higgins, defending, said Donegan was separated and had two children. He had been adopted at six years of age. Before that he had had serious behavioural difficulties and had been in several foster homes. At the time of the incident, his marriage was falling apart and he was drinking to excess.
He was vulnerable and had been used. He was aware of the untold shame and distress he had brought on his family and was deeply ashamed.
Judge Smith said Donegan's family had been shattered and distressed but was standing by him. He imposed a six year sentence on the supply charge and one year fur possession, to run concurrently and to date from January 10th.
Leave to appeal against the conviction and the severity of the sentence were refused.