Mayo man hid drugs worth €4,200 in graveyard
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A man ‘dug his own grave’ when he hid drugs in a Mayo cemetery.
John O’Hara, aged 40, of Church View, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to possessing drugs for sale or supply.
Gda James O’Brien told the court that Gardaí received confidential information that cannabis was being concealed in Ballinrobe graveyard.
When Gardaí searched the graveyard on August 26, 2021, a black hold-all was discovered under a gravestone. The bag contained cannabis valued at €4,200. O’Hara’s fingerprints were found on the bag and he later admitted owning the drugs. He has 15 previous convictions and faces firearms and ammunition charges before Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Barrister Simon Crowley, representing O’Hara, said his client had accrued a debt and was carrying the drugs to pay off the debt.
“He dug his own grave in getting involved with these people,” he said.
“Literally in this case,” said Judge Eoin Garavan.
The court was told O’Hara is a single man who cares for his mother. He previously worked as a labourer but has not worked in three years.
The judge said the amount recovered suggested commercial dealing. He expressed concern that the pending firearms matter may represent an escalation in O’Hara’s criminal activity. Judge Garavan jailed him for 20 months.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
