Colm McDonald, a 38-year-old haulier from Racecourse Common in Lusk, County Dublin, was jailed for 10 years by Judge Joseph Matthews at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.[1] He had pleaded guilty to possession of 978.8 kg of cannabis worth an estimated €12.42 million and 30.08 kg of cocaine worth about €3.1 million.[1][2]
Peat briquettes as cover
Gardaí uncovered the drugs during a surveillance operation, following the lorry along the main Dublin to Belfast road to Bentley’s, a container yard at Treen Hill in Lusk.[1] Officers found the cannabis packed in 36 bales in a hidden compartment under the floor of the lorry, with evidence of recent welding in the container section.[1][2] The cocaine was found in a suitcase hidden in McDonald’s garage after officers watched it being removed from the lorry.[1]
The lorry had ostensibly been used for transporting peat briquettes.[1][2] McDonald drove it from Rosslare to France on 14 April 2003, where the briquettes were dropped off, then on to Spain before returning through Rosslare with the drugs on 19 April 2003.[1] His co-accused, Julian Gilloughley, who had travelled with him, was jailed for five years, later increased to seven years on the prosecution’s appeal.[1]
