A MAN who admitted having heroin for sale, which had been hidden behind a panel in a cattle trailer and was worth more than €100,000, has been jailed for seven years.
Gardaí had the trailer under surveillance at an industrial estate in Trim, Co Meath, on March 15th, 2008. They arrested Eamonn McNamee at about 6.10am, 40 minutes after he was seen going into the trailer carrying a torch and a ratchet device.
Det Sgt Greg Sheehan of the Garda National Drugs Unit told the court he could hear the noise of screws being taken off the trailer and drugs were found behind a corner panel “where cattle would draw water”.
McNamee (28), Larkfield Square, Lucan, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug for sale or supply.
Gardaí found more than 500 grammes of diamorphine with a street value of about €101,000. He told gardaí he was there by accident and had been looking for diesel for his truck.
The court heard he began binge drinking and taking cocaine after his newborn infant died in 2005. He had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty at an early stage in the court proceedings. He also had the support of his partner and family. He pleaded guilty to the more serious drug-dealing charge which can carry a minimum sentence of 10 years.
Judge Michael White said McNamee had played an active part in removing the drugs from where they were concealed. He jailed him for seven years with the last two suspended on strict conditions