Elaborate growhouse lands 10 year jail term
Waterford Courthouse
A man from Waterford who was involved in an ‘elaborate’ growhouse operation in Tramore has been sentenced.
William O’Gorman (35) of Priory Lawn, Ballybeg, Waterford City, was convicted in April of this year by unanimous jury verdict, of unlawful cultivation of cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale and supply.
On January 19, 2019, an armed support unit led by Gardaí executed a search warrant at unit 4D, Riverstown Industrial Estate, Tramore.
A "sophisticated" and "skilfully" built cannabis growhouse was found within the unit. Electricity was bypassed in an attempt to not alert authorities and an irrigation system was constructed.
Gardaí discovered hundreds of mature cannabis plants, and a large quantity of dried cannabis in hanging baskets. In total, the value of cannabis recovered was valued at €320,000.
A glove which was found at the site contained the DNA of William O’Gorman.
On January 20, 2020, Gardaí presented a warrant at Mr O’Gorman’s address and located the defendant.
At Waterford Circuit Court, a jury of eight women and four men listened to testimony from members of An Garda Síochána, forensic scientists, and local witnesses.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly presided over the trial.
State prosecutor Dylan Redmond advised the jury that they had to convict the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt from the evidence heard.
Defence counsel John B Peart stood for Mr O’Gorman.
On the final day of trial, Mr. Peart outlined that his client was in a stable relationship with his partner and had worked most of his life.
Mr. O’Gorman was known as "a very talented sportsman", having won an All-Ireland Medal for the Under 11 Tipperary Gaelic football team. He also had aims of reaching the Olympics in boxing in his youth.
Defence counsel also outlined that since being imprisoned, Mr O’Gorman has partaken in addiction counselling and various Red Cross courses, and said that he has had "a road to Damascus change".
He added that his client has "very seriously come to terms with the jury verdict".
Judge Eugene O’Kelly outlined that “the single greatest mitigating factor for Mr. O'Gorman is missing, a guilty plea”.
He added that that Mr. O’Gorman was not "a low tier gardener", however was acting in conjunction with others "who perhaps were higher up the chain".
William O’Gorman was sentenced to nine years for the cultivation charge and 10 years for the drug dealing charge. The sentences are to run concurrently with each other.
A destruction order was issued for the drugs and drug dealing paraphernalia.
