Irish drug-dealing mechanic nabbed after encrypted messaging network breached

A RURAL drug-dealing mechanic was busted following a joint operation between detectives here and Dutch investigators.

It came off the back of the Europe-wide breach of the Encrochat encrypted messaging network.

The same operation separately led to raids in Holland in which €1.12million worth of cocaine destined for the Irish market was seized, The Irish Sun can reveal.

Accessing the Eurochat network also led the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau to the home of Edward Temple at Moyview in Kildalkey, Co Meath on June 19, 2020.

Temple, 38, was handed down a suspended sentence, a fine and community service at Trim Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, 31 May, after he was convicted over money laundering and drugs for the sale or supply.

On the day of the raids at his home, the gardai nabbed a number of phones including one – which had only been activated days beforehand – which used language associated with drug dealing such as “ounces.”

A 171-MH Ford Transit van was seized at his home and cash to the value of €48,000 was subsequently discovered stuffed behind the pollen filters of the vehicle, wrapped in elastic bands.

Cannabis worth €258 was also found in the searches.

Temple, a mechanic since 2009, was initially charged with the full amount in relation to the money laundering charge, it was amended at trial after evidence was heard from two people who had purchased cars from Temple.

A jury convicted him of money laundering to the value of €2,000, the possession of cannabis worth €258 and its possession for sale and supply following a trial last October.

Trim Circuit Court heard how married father-of-one Temple previously was handed down a suspended sentence for the sale and supply of drugs in 2010.

The following year he was jailed for 18 months for money laundering €22,530, for which the possession of €300 cocaine was also taken into account.

On Friday, Judge John Martin said his offences in this case became more serious in the context of his previous convictions for the similar matters which he branded as “identical offending”.

However the judge took into account the fact that Temple provides greatly for his young daughter who has significant special needs, she is non verbal and cannot walk.

Temple also told the judge he had accepted the verdict of the jury.

Judge Martin handed down a 12-month suspended sentence for the money laundering offence and a fine of €7,500 to be paid within 12 months.

120 hours of community service

For the possession of the cannabis for the sale or supply, he was handed down 120 hours of community service.

Forfeiture orders were granted for the destruction of the cannabis and paraphernalia seized at his home.

The €2,000 will also be seized but the remaining €46,000 will be handed back to Temple, who said he will pay the fine once that is returned.

The day Temple’s home was raided, four other properties in Dublin and Meath were also searched.

A Dubliner, aged 40 at the time, was arrested over the cocaine haul in Holland.

The swoops came after a major breach of Encrochat encrypted devices, used by organised crime gangs to communicate at the time.