Court of Appeal dismisses appeal against severity of ten-year term of imprisonment, with the final two suspended, in respect of possession of drugs with a value of €1.375 million, finding that: 1) the disparity in sentence between the applicant and an offender involved in the same incident was justified because his role in the offence was different and no material cooperation was forthcoming; and 2) the actual sentence falls well within the sentence range available to the trial judge.
Criminal law – sentencing – appeal against severity of sentence of ten years’ imprisonment with the final two suspended – s. 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act – disparity between the sentences of offenders – scale of the disparity – appellant was of no material assistance to Gardai – whether there was an unjustified disparity in sentencing individuals who have been jointly indicted – actual role in this operation was different – sentence falls well within the sentence range available – no error in principle identified – appeal dismissed.