Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for cigarette importer who tried to go back on guilty plea
Summary
Ihab Abou Alfa, 45, was jailed for three months after he tried to withdraw his guilty plea for importing €4,000 worth of cigarettes into Dublin Airport on 21 November 2013. The court found his conduct "unfortunate" because he attempted to change his plea and refused to accept responsibility. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with the final three months suspended, citing the offence as low‑level but the conduct serious. Alfa had been caught red‑handed when Customs and Excise officer John Sinclair observed him acting strangely in the blue channel. The bag contained about 8,200 cigarettes valued at €3,832, costing the exchequer €2,324. Alfa had previously lived in Ireland, ran a painting business, and suffered a road traffic accident and persistent pain. He denied guilt and showed no remorse. The judge noted a non‑custodial sentence would have been appropriate but was overridden by his conduct.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for cigarette importer who tried to go back on guilty plea. Charges or matters: one count of importing cigarettes into Dublin Airport on November 21, 2013 on the first day of his trial. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 21, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-12-06 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of importing cigarettes into Dublin Airport on November 21, 2013 on the first day of his trial (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ihab Abou Alfa's offence was at the lower end of the scale and she would not have jailed him were it not for his "unfortunate conduct", which included putting the state to "considerable expense" when he tried to resile from his guilty plea. She sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with the final three months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Court
- In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Canada Square
Topics
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