Man with Kildare address received parcel with €20k of cannabis

A father-of-four who has lived in Ireland for 16 years may be deported after he was found guilty of receiving €20,000 worth of cannabis in a package from Belgium seven years ago.

Musuala Lombe (34) with an address in Derrintown, Carbury, Co Kildare was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply on April 27, 2009.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today that Lombe, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, arrived in Ireland in 2000 under the Red Cross's family reunification programme when he was 18 years old. He was granted a green card to join his father, who had refugee status.

The court heard Lombe has four children aged between seven and 13 with his partner, who works as a part-time carer.

He has stopped smoking and has embraced a healthier lifestyle and regularly did long-distance cycling, track running and held a black belt in judo.

Judge Elma Sheahan noted it was a serious offence and adjourned the matter for sentencing on January 23 next year.