Suspended sentence for sale and supply of heroin
Carlow Courthouse
TWO men who were caught transporting heroin to feed their own drug habits were last week handed suspended sentences in Carlow Circuit Court after Judge Eugene O’Kelly heard that they had both attended a residential treatment programme.
Darren Doyle (36) and John Walsh (38) had both pleaded guilty at a previous circuit court sitting to possessing drugs for sale or supply after the car they were travelling in was stopped by gardaí on the M9 near Tinnegarney, Leighlinbridge on 23 December 2022.
The pair went into residential rehabilitation care in Tiglin Residential Treatment Centre, Ashford, Co Wicklow after they pleaded guilty and last week they were back before Judge O’Kelly for finalisation of the case.
Brian Thornton, a key worker with Tiglin, gave details of the progress that both men had made while under his care.
He said that Mr Doyle had almost completed the programme and was about to start work experience, while Mr Walsh had finished it and was now in employment He continued that they tested negative for drugs on a regular basis and that while in Tiglin they both completed college courses run by the SETU outreach programme.
Judge O’Kelly heard that Mr Doyle had 51 previous convictions while Mr Walsh had 93, but neither had any for possessing drugs for sale or supply.
Judge O’Kelly noted that the two men were transporting diamorphine, along with other people in the car, when they were stopped by gardaí.
He then sentenced Mr Doyle of Irishtown, New Ross, Co Wexford to three years’ imprisonment, which he fully suspended for three years while ordering him to stay under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months.
Judge O’Kelly then sentenced Mr Walsh, c/o Tiglin Residential Centre, Ashford, Co Wicklow to three years and nine months, which he suspended for the same period while also ordering him to follow the directions of the Probation Service during that time.
