Dealer caught €2,000 drugs haul avoids more jail time

February 28, 2022

A convicted drug-dealer caught with more than €2,000 worth of drugs will not have to serve any more time in prison after he was given a concurrent jail sentence.

Gerard Heapes appeared at Letterkenny District Court earlier today on a range of drugs offences.

The court was told that Heapes, aged 49, is currently in prison on drug dealing charges.

He was jailed for two years at Letterkenny Circuit Court recent after being caught with a haul of drugs worth more than €17,000.

Letterkenny District Court was told that on December 19th, 2017, Gardai raided Heapes’ home at Cappry, Ballybofey and found another haul of drugs.

It included €2,000 of cannabis as well as cocaine and ecstasy tablets.

Garda Sgt Jim Collins said Heapes was cooperative with Gardai when arrested.

He said the accused had a number of previous convictions for drug dealing going back to 2011.

His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, told the court that his client was originally from Dublin but had come to Donegal to escape drugs.

He said his client had addictions issues and was currently serving a sentence for drug-related issues but was trying to get off drugs.

He asked the court to consider not adding to Heapes’ sentence considering the vintage of the charges before the court which he said were almost five years old.

Judge Patricia Cronin said she was taking note of the request by Mr Gallagher and the vintage of the current charges.

She imposed two separate four month jail sentences on Heapes on the various charges but ordered that they run concurrently with the present sentence meaning the accused will serve no more time in prison.

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