A man who worked as a security guard for TV and film productions found himself “a character in his own Love/Hate” after becoming involved in the transport of over €79,000 of cannabis, a court has heard.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told that Christopher Nugent (39) worked as a security guard for TV and film productions, including Love/Hate and Vikings, but lost his job due to the Covid pandemic.
Nugent, of Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply on August 1st, 2020 at Drumfinn Road.
Imposing sentence on Tuesday, Judge Orla Crowe noted the impact of illegal drug use and the “misery” of addiction which regularly comes before the court is “all facilitated by the onward transmission of drugs”.
She said these were very serious charges and noted the aggravating features include the value of the drugs and Nugent's “active role in their distribution”.
She imposed a sentence of four-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months suspended for two years on strict conditions.
An investigating garda told David Perry BL, prosecuting, that gardaí set up a surveillance operation after receiving confidential information. While observing Nugent driving on Drumfinn Road, they observed a white BMW pull in behind him.
Nugent parked his car, and the white BMW stopped behind it. The driver of the BMW, a co-accused, got out and handed Nugent a black bag.
Dropped the bag
Gardaí intervened and Nugent dropped the bag, which contained 3.96kg of cannabis in four wrapped packages, with a street value of €79,204.
Nugent was arrested and interviewed, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. He initially took a trial date, but entered a guilty plea last May. He has 16 previous convictions, primarily road traffic offences dealt with by the District Court.
The court heard that the co-accused received a four-and-a-half year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended in October 2021.
An investigating garda agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending, that his client took a trial date to allow time for drug analysis, which found it to be “low grade”.
It was further accepted that Nugent was not on the garda radar, that he was conviction-free for a period of time and has not come to garda attention since this incident.
The garda agreed that Nugent was stopped outside his home and that he had no financial interest in the drugs.
Mr Spencer said his instruction was that Nugent was to get €100 for his role, but the garda said this did not come up during interview.
Defence counsel told the court his client was “sceptical” whether the drug was cannabis, that analysis showed it was “low grade” and “there may not be a great market” for this type.
Security guard
Nugent worked as a security guard on film and TV productions including Vikings and Love/Hate, but lost his job due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His conviction would affect his ability to renew his security licence, but a former employer had indicated they were willing to take him on in a different role in future, Mr Spencer said.
He said this was the first time his client had taken part in the transport of drugs and was to receive “little compensation” for his role.
Mr Spencer said Nugent “did not know he would become a character in his own Love/Hate”.
Nugent volunteers with a local sports club and assists his mother, an elderly neighbour and other family members. He has one child.
He was drinking heavily at the time, but is now sober. A number of references and a letter from Tiglin were handed to the court.
Nugent's niece took to the stand to give evidence on his behalf.
Judge Crowe said the court “fails to see” how the quality of the drugs “makes any difference” as “the value is the value”.
She noted the mitigating features of the case including family support, Nugent's work history and the steps taken to deal with addictions issues.
Judge Crowe noted Nugent lost his job because of Covid-19 and came under pressure to act as a “courier”. However, she noted that others also lost work due to the pandemic and “did not necessarily engage in this behaviour”.
She said there were a “whole lot of good things” in Nugent's life, but said the court could not overlook the lateness of the guilty plea and that he was “equally culpable” with the co-accused.
