Elite Irish amateur boxer caught with drugs haul and cash sentenced

A elite amateur boxer caught by chance with a haul of drugs at his Belfast apartment was spared jail on Monday.

Rory Lavery, 29 and of Gortnahowen in Warrenpoint, Co Down, was handed an enhanced combination order of 100 hours of unpaid work and a two year probation order.

He previously pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Lavery further admitted possession of the cannabis, possessing the Class A drug MDMA and possessing criminal property of almost £10,000.

The lightweight fighter, who has represented Ireland and achieved national success, was arrested when the seizures were made on July 7, 2023. Belfast Crown Court heard he had only moved into the flat at King Street in Belfast city centre a day before police went there to investigate unrelated disturbances.

A search of his property uncovered multiple bags of cannabis resin, cannabis edibles and the large sum of cash. At the time of the seizure police estimated the haul weighed up to 12kg with a potential street value of up to £84,000.

Police believed, based on CCTV footage, that Lavery brought the consignment from a Volkswagen Scirocco car while moving his belongings into the apartment. A further quantity of cannabis was located in the vehicle parked nearby.

The court heard he subsequently received a suspended prison sentence because at the time he was disqualified from driving.

During interviews with police officers, Lavery claimed he was approached in Warrenpoint by a man whose first name he knew but would not disclose for fear of reprisals.

He claimed he was asked to look after some already packaged cannabis at his new accommodation for a week, but thought the amount involved would be much less. Lavery said he felt under pressure and that this man had a reputation for beating people up.

He claimed he was told: “You’re f***ing doing it, and that’s it.”

Defence barrister Sean Doherty said: “He is an elite amateur lightweight boxer who has achieved both Ulster and Irish boxing titles and fought for Ireland ten times.”

The court heard Lavery has been a member of the renowned Holy Family Boxing Club in North Belfast. Four written references were handed in to Judge Mark Reel, three of which spoke about his boxing prowess.

During the sentencing hearing, Lavery’s father Robert took to the witness stand and spoke of how his son had been boxing from the age of 11 and he had hopes of him becoming a professional boxer. He said his son “took to the weed” after suffering a back injury.

“He became a lot quieter,” said Robert Lavery. “I would say he was also depressed because couldn’t box or work.”

Asked by Mr Doherty how his son was after the three weeks he spent on remand before High Court bail was granted, he replied: “He came out with his tail between his legs.”

He also confirmed to the court that his son was receiving private counselling for his drug problem. Judge Reel said the three weeks Lavery had spent on remand in Maghaberry prison “must have come as a sobering shock to him” as his only previous convictions were for motoring offences.

Imposing the enhanced combination order, Judge Reel said: “This defendant was a commercial dealer selling to the public for financial gain. There is some reasonable prospects in his personal life for the future. He has made his own efforts to deal with his drug issues and I am satisfied I can deal with him by way of a non-custodial outcome.”

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