Court of Criminal Appeal sets aside sentence of ten years imposed on drugs importer and substitutes a sentence of seven years with the last four years suspended.
Criminal law - appeal from severity of sentence - misuse of drugs offences - possession with intent to supply - unlawful importation - value of drug in excess of €13,000 - Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 - sentences of ten years in respect of two counts to run concurrently - plea of not guilty - defence that accused thought she was carrying gold dust rather than cocaine - drugs valued at €210,119.00 - minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment unless exceptional and specific circumstances rendering sentence unjust - co-operation with Gardai - provision of names to Gardai - 30-year-old French national - no previous convictions - excellent references - naivety of offender - whether sentencing judge gave sufficient consideration to mitigating circumstances.