A 37-year-old man has been jailed for 15 months for drugs and money-laundering offences, after almost €28,000 worth of cash was seized in his home in Longford town.
The court heard he initially said most of the money was his mother-in-law's - and the rest was a deposit for a gravestone.
At Longford Circuit Court today, Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced Martin McDonagh, from Congress Terrace in Longford town.
Judge Dunphy said, in October 2022, gardai carried out a planned search of his house in Congress Terrace - initially suspicious they'd find fireworks.
Gardai said, when they entered the home, McDonagh was in the kitchen with a glass jar behind his back, which contained cocaine.
A bag of cannabis was also found elsewhere in the room.
The total value of the drugs was over €2,500.
A weighing scales, with cannabis residue, was found elsewhere.
Almost €28,000 in cash was discovered, in two amounts, elsewhere in the house.
McDonagh initially accepted they were his drugs, but denied they were for sale and supply.
Judge Dunphy said McDonagh initially said one sum of cash was a deposit for a gravestone, and the second was owned by his elderly mother-in-law.
But he ultimately pleaded guilty to the possession of drugs, the possession of drugs for sale and supply, and money-laundering.
Judge Dunphy said McDonagh's parents were settled Travellers.
He can't read or write and has mental health problems.
His defence barrister, Michael O'Higgins, said he attempted suicide three times in the past.
Judge Dunphy said he was taking this into account.
He jailed him for two years but suspended the final nine months.
The cash found in the house will go to the state.
