Apartment used to store €800k worth of drugs owned by gang

A man has been jailed for four years for allowing his apartment to be used by a gang to warehouse over €800,000 worth of drugs, reports Stephen Bourke.

Martin Gilsenan (50) of Kilwarden Court, Boot Road, Clondalkin,  pleaded guilty to having cannabis resin, cannabis herb and cocaine for sale and supply at his home on October 16, 2018.

Passing sentence on Thursday before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Karen O’Connor said officers were carrying out a surveillance operation observing the flat complex that day having received confidential information.

The court heard that as gardaí watched, a courier van drew up outside and a number of men were seen unloading boxes and bringing them inside – among them, the accused.

Gardai entered with a search warrant and found a large quantity of cocaine and cannabis, along with a weighing scales and a substance used as a cutting agent.

Gilsenan had told gardai when he was interviewed, he was “in it to clear a debt”, which the prosecution had accepted, Judge O’Connor said.

Gardai noticed no food in the flat when they raided it and observed “no suggestion on any wealth”. Documents handed up to the court demonstrated that he is addicted to alcohol, she said.

“He borrowed money from these people having been told he could pay it back in this way,” Judge O’Connor said. It was accepted he was at the “low level of the chain” and “a vulnerable person”.

Judge O’Connor said the impact of drug dealing on the community was an aggravating factor, especially with the “level of drugs” seized in this case.

“He played a role in this by allowing his apartment to be used, but also by bringing the boxes into his apartment,” she said.

Judge O’Connor said his guilty plea, personal history of addiction, mental health difficulties, and the manner of a bereavement were all mitigating factors.

Gilsenan’s sister explained in a letter their mother had died in tragic circumstances and passed away in his arms.

“He is a vulnerable person, alcohol-dependent and no doubt targeted by these individuals,” Judge O’Connor said.

“His very impressive testimonial expresses remorse and shame.”

“The documentation I have received including from a friend and a work colleague all would describe this behaviour as being out of character and consistent with his addiction,” she said.

She sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, but suspended the final three years with a year’s probation supervision on release.