2014-11-13
Drugs mule who transported €400k in cannabis has sentenced reduced by three years
Stage: Appeal
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He submitted that the judge erred in imposing a sentence that was disproportionate having regard to the fact that Boyle was an accepted drugs mule, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and showed significant remorse. During the sentencing hearing Judge Hogan said he was not prepared to exercise his discretion to impose a lesser sentence than the prescribed minimum of ten years, but was prepared to "cushion" Boyle against such a sentence, having regard to mitigating factors, by imposing a sentence of ten years with three years suspended.