A 37-yer-old Limerick man was sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of 100,000 ecstasy tablets worth over €1 million.
At Limerick Circuit Court yesterday, Michael Shannon, Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick, a father of five, pleaded guilty to possession of ecstasy tablets worth €13,000 or more at Beechcourt House, Meelick, Co Clare, on June 19th, 2001.
The court heard that gardaí from Limerick drug squad mounted a surveillance operation in the vicinity of the Ennis Road on that date.
Det Sgt John Heelan said they observed a freight truck parked in the farmyard at Beechcourt House.
The accused was observed taking 31 boxes of tiles off the truck and putting them into a bag.
Five of the boxes contained 101,030 ecstasy tablets with a market value in excess of €1 million.
Det Sgt Heelan said the accused had previous convictions.
Mr Patrick Gageby SC, for the accused, said he was sent forward from the District Court on a plea of guilty and he had made a statement to the gardaí that he was engaged in the delivery of the tiles and drugs.
He was not the prime mover, Mr Gageby said.
Judge Sean O'Leary said this was a serious crime and pointed out that if this consignment of ecstasy had been seized from the ultimate owner in Ireland he was satisfied the correct term of imprisonment would be life in prison.