Man (23) jailed for travelling through Dublin Airport with €400k worth of drugs

Fiona Ferguson

An Englishman who was caught with cannabis valued at almost €400,000 as he travelled through Dublin Airport has been jailed for four and a half years.

Daniel Munday (23) of Yew Tree Cottages, Knellers Lane, United Kingdom pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on April 24th 2025.

He has no previous convictions.

Garda Jennifer Lynch told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that a customs officer stopped Munday as he went through the blue channel at the airport after he was spotted acting in a suspicious and evasive manner.

An X-ray of his suitcase revealed vacuum-packed packages of cannabis valued at €398,700 and weighing 22 kg.

He initially gave a false name but later admitted he was to go to a hotel and wait to be approached. He gave an account of his own role in the offending.

Michael Hourigan SC, defending, said his client had a difficult upbringing with a backdrop of addiction and personal trauma.

He said Munday had written a letter outlining the background to this offence, which he handed into court. He also handed in a number of references.

He submitted his client had been under duress and pressure and said there was no suggestion of him receiving anything. He said this had not been a sophisticated offence, noting he had exceeded the normal baggage weight allowance and drawn attention to himself.

He said Munday has no links to Ireland at all. He said his client had previously worked as a plumber and been active in sporting endeavours.

Passing the sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said he was satisfied Munday had been transporting and holding the drugs for third parties.

The judge said Munday had entered early guilty pleas and was unlikely to reoffend. He noted he had contributed to his local area and it seems he has a place to live with extended family

He imposed a prison term of four and a half years to date from when Munday went into custody last April.