A Kenmare man has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for taking delivery of 2 kg of cannabis after seeing an Instagram advert for "easy money".
25-year old Ethan Hillier of 10 Ard Bhearna, Kenmare, had been facing a minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
He had pleased guilty to three charges relating to the possession of cannabis for sale and supply.
However, at Tralee Circuit Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said there were a number of mitigating circumstances which justified significantly reducing this.
In January 2024, a sniffer dog at the Dublin Parcel Hub detected a parcel from Thailand, addressed to Mr Hillier, which contained 2kgs of cannabis.
The drugs had a total street value of almost €40,000 (€39,360).
Four days later, an undercover detective disguised as a postman, delivered the parcel to Ms Hilliers' mother's home in Kenmare.
Mr Hiller, was in college in Cork at the time and travelled back to Kenmare that evening.
He made a full admission during his second interview with Gardaí.
He was to be paid just short of €800 for acting as a middle man, taking possession of the cannabis, and then transporting the drugs on further.
Judge Alec Gabbett detailed the a series of mitigating circumstances, including the early plea, that he had provided material assistance to the Gardaí, that he had not come to the attention of law enforcement before or since, and that he was engaged to be married.
Mr Hillier's defending council Séamus Roche had asked Judge Gabbett to fully suspend the sentence.
Judge Gabbett explained that notwithstanding the mitigating circumstances, he could not fully suspend the sentence.
He said sentenced Mr Hillier to 42 months in prison, with the final 20 months suspended for four years.
Judge Gabbett explained that this is significantly less than usual.
Mr Hillier wept as he was taken away from the court.
