A KILDARE trucker whose business failed has been given a suspended sentence for transporting almost €250,000 of drugs.
The Garda National Drug Unit stopped a van driven by Con Birchall (34) and discovered the cannabis herb in boxes in the back.
Birchall, a father of three, of Hartwell Green, Kill, told gardaí: “I’m going to Sligo for a delivery, as far as I know it’s weed.” He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing 22.3kg of cannabis herb worth €248,714 on August 1st, 2009. He has no previous convictions.
Det Garda Daragh Daly told Gerardine Small, prosecuting, gardaí followed Birchall’s van out of Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, and pulled him over on the N4.
Birchall said in interview he had a €140,000 debt owed to banks and debt collectors and was to receive €2,500 for the courier job.
Caroline Biggs SC, defending, told Judge Desmond Hogan her client, trading under Birchall Transport Ltd, had previously had lucrative contracts, including one with The Irish Times Ltd in 2002, but ended up taking on bad debts.
Counsel handed in a letter from Birchall’s wife, who did not agree with what he did but he did it for his family and to save their home.
Judge Hogan noted the mandatory minimum penalty was 10 years but said Birchall’s “extraordinary” circumstances allowed him to impose a suspended sentence. He sentenced Birchall to seven years, suspending it in full. He ordered that he do 240 hours’ community service if deemed suitable by the probation service.