This article is from page 11 of the 2008-01-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A DUBLIN man who imported a haul of cannabis resin from Brus- sels, via Shannon airport, to pay off a drug debt has been jailed for four years.
Paul Hand (22), from Malahide in Dublin, admitted possession of drugs with a market value of €13,000 or more.
He was caught with cannabis resin, valued at €21,000, at Shannon air- port, on August 28, 2006.
Ennis Circuit Court heard yester- day that Hand had flown to Brussels on August 25 that year. On his return three days later, he was apprehended by Customs and when his suitcase was searched, the drugs were found.
The court heard that his own drug habit cost him up to €500 per week and he had imported the drugs to pay off a debt.
Hand’s barrister David Sutton, SC, said the accused had co-operated fully with gardai and had expressed remorse. He had since given up drugs, he said.
He pleaded guilty to the charge, which he said was at the lower end of the scale in terms of value.
He said it did seem to be a very “foolish enterprise” carried out for another individual and his client had
been naive.
Judge Carroll Moran said the im- portation of drugs was a serious mat- ter.
“Even though the value is small and the illicit drug is cannabis resin, which is not as poisonous as other substances, it’s still a Misuse of Drugs Offence,’ said the judge.
“You have to be living on another planet not to know that the legisla- ture expects and demands heavy sen- tences (for drugs offences),” he said.
The judge told Hand that investigat- ing Garda Michelle Holian had been fair to him and said “I hope you are appreciative of that.”
Noting that the accused was a pleasant individual, the judge said, “It is very difficult to send such a man to prison,’ and imposed a four- year term.