Michael Redmond, 37, of Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun, was jailed for six years on 30 June 2004 after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis resin for sale or supply on 28 September 2003.[1] His partner Sylvia Guilfoyle, 23, also pleaded guilty and received a six-year sentence; Judge Frank O’Donnell suspended the last five years after hearing she stood to gain nothing and had only become involved through the relationship.[1]
Raid and plea
Garda Ronan Biggins told the court that officers raided Guilfoyle’s home on confidential information and that Redmond handed over a green shopping bag with 34 nine-ounce bars of cannabis resin worth more than €100,000.[1] Both accepted responsibility in interview and tried to minimise the other’s role; Guilfoyle said she had collected the bag in Poppintree the previous week for Redmond, who said he was to be paid €100 because he was an alcoholic.[1] The judge said exceptional circumstances let him avoid the mandatory ten-year minimum for the quantity involved.[1]
Biggins said neither named other traffickers because they feared for their safety, though he told the court he had “a fair idea” where the resin came from.[1] The report does not record separate sentences for the September raid date versus the June hearing beyond the six-year terms.[1]
