Ten years’ prison for significant player in Clare drugs trade

A MAN involved to a “significant level” in drug dealing in Clare has received a 10-year prison sentence.

Paul Collopy (47) was part of a “sophisticated and well resourced drug trafficking operation”, Ennis circuit court heard.

Judge Francis Comerford imposed the 10-year prison term on Collopy who was caught in possession of cannabis valued at €50,780 in a wooded area of the Carnelly House estate on April 16, 2021.

Collopy, with an address at Childers Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis, and originally from Limerick, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at a time when the value of the drugs amounted to €13,000 or more.

In evidence, Detective Garda Paul Heaslip said the Clare divisional drugs unit, supported by members of the Garda armed support unit, excuted a warrant on the grounds of Carnelly House on the date in question.

The court heard, Collopy was observed exiting a car and retrieving from under the root of a tree, an Iceland freezer bag containing 2,539 grammes of cannabis.

“He was caught red-handed”, Detective Heaslip said.

Collopy was also found in possession of an Alcatel “burner phone” and items including a nutri-bullet, latex gloves, zip lock bags and glass containers were found during a search of a maroon Volvo.

Detective Heaslip said these items are “part and parcel of a drugs operation”.

The detective told prosecuting counsel, Lorcan Connolly BL, that Collopy had been an “operational target” for gardaí investigating drugs crime in Clare.

“His drug trafficking operation is a well resourced and sophisticated drug trafficking operation”, the garda added.

Asked by Mr Connolly where Collopy is on the hierarchy of the drug trade, Detective Heaslip said he regarded the accused as a “leading player”.

Defence counsel, Ray Boland SC, objected to the evidence, saying he could not challenge matters of intelligence or speculation.

He said the rules of evidence did not allow for “speeches of the drug squad’s view of the accused”.

“It goes beyond what is proper in sentencing,” Mr Boland added.

The court heard Collopy has 78 previous convictions, including for assault, threats to kill and criminal damage.

Detective Heaslip told the court Collopy’s first conviction for drug dealing came in 2004 when he was caught in possession of cocaine worth €13,000 and received a five-year prison sentence.

In 2014, he was again convicted of having drugs for sale or supply relating to the seizure of cocaine and amphetamines.

Collopy received a prison sentence after being caught in Ennis with heroin worth €26,000 and received a separate sentence in 2017 for a money-laundering offence relating to €67,900.

In sentencing Judge Comerford, said that while the €50,780 worth of cannabis seized by gardaí in 2021 was not the highest amount, “it is a significant amount of drugs”.

Judge Comerford noted Collopy’s early involvement in crime are “consistent with a chaotic lifestyle”.

He said the accused had served prison sentences for assault and drink driving but the most significant offences are for what Judge Comerford called a “repeated pattern of drug dealing”.

“It does show an involvement in drugs activities”, he added.

Judge Comerford said an “aggravating circumstance” in the case was the fact that in 2021, Collopy was found in possession of a large amount of drugs less than a year after his release from prison.

He said drug dealing “has done huge damage to Irish society”, something the court regularly sees evidence of.

The judge said the court has to regard this as an offence of the “utmost gravity”.

Judge Comerford said it was a “grave aggravating factor” that Collopy committed the offence while he was subject to three different suspended sentences..

He said the other items found by gardaí show someone “practiced in drug dealing”.

Judge Comerford said, “I do have to treat him as being involved in drug dealing at a significant level and with significant expertise”.

The judge also noted Collopy’s guilty plea came at a very late stage after a jury had been empaneled to hear his trial.

Judge Comerfird said in all the circumstances it would not be “unjust” to impose the mandatory 10-year sentence for section 15 (a) drug offences.

Judge Comerford said, “The argument for suspension is very weak in this case”.

In his plea in mitigation, Ray Boland SC said his client had been involved in a number of legitimate businesses including the sale of cars and horses.

Counsel said unfortunately in parallel to work, his client developed a serious addiction to heroin.

Urging the court to structure a sentence to allow for a period of suspension, Mr Boland said his client had found it very hard to be away from his partner and infant son.

He said Mr Collopy is now “very committed” to put “his energies into his legitimate concerns”.