A self confessed drugs dealer caught in a joint investigation by police in France, Holland and the UK has been jailed for 44 months.
Joseph Dornan (45), a father of five from Casheltown Road in Ahoghill, was arrested in 2022 after police in France and Holland gained access to encrypted mobile data on Encrochat phones used by drugs dealers.
Using the username ‘Symbolic-Phone’ the defendant sent his mobile phone number as well as his business name to another Encrochat user whose phone was one of those hacked.
Dornan also had a business van with the same phone number printed on its side.
Following his arrest he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, to possessing criminal property namely £20,000 and to offering to supply cocaine. The offences occurred in June and July 2020.
A prosecutor told Derry court judge Neil Rafferty KC that the cannabis charge related to the importation of 23kg from Holland.
Dornan and two associates divided the cannabis equally among themselves. The £20,000 was Dornan’s share of the cannabis transaction.
The prosecution barrister said an aggravating factor of the case was Dornan’s previous conviction in 2005 for his involvement in the smuggling from Holland cannabis resin and herbal cannabis.
Defence barrister Michael Duffy KC said Dornan became involved in this offending “when his business collapsed and he made a very foolish decision to get involved”. He said given his previous time in custody for similar offending Dornan “is terrified of going into custody. He has now paid the price”.
Jailing Dornan Judge Rafferty said Dornan’s previous drugs offending and his use of an Encrochat phone were aggravating factors.
“I appreciate imprisonment has an impact on the broader family but there are mothers and fathers who watch the health of their children decline through drugs misuse,” he said.