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Couple who got suspended sentence for storing €500k in drugs must await sentence fate
Summary
In a Dublin case, Keith Jervis (36) and Therese Doyle (35) received a wholly suspended seven‑year sentence for storing 45 kg of cannabis valued between €320,000 and €550,000 in their home. The Court of Criminal Appeal has reserved judgment on an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argues the suspension was unduly lenient. The DPP contends Judge Martin Nolan failed to consider the offence's seriousness and the mandatory minimum of 10 years, and that the judge gave excessive weight to mitigating factors such as the couple's 19‑year relationship and two young sons. Counsel for Jervis maintains the judge acted within his discretion, citing the complexity of the case and the couple's immediate admissions. Doyle's counsel argues she is unlikely to reappear in court and that imposing custodial time now would be an error. The appeal court will decide soon. Keith Jervis pleaded guilty. Therese Doyle pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Couple who got suspended sentence for storing €500k in drugs must await sentence fate. Charges or matters: possession for sale or supply of 45kg of herbal cannabis; the possession of a significant amount of cannabis, and the primary area in which the DPP believed there was an error in principle was the suspension of the entirety of the seven-year sentence imposed. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2011 Incident
- 2013-11-25 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: possession for sale or supply of 45kg of herbal cannabis; the possession of a significant amount of cannabis, and the primary area in which the DPP believed there was an error in principle was the suspension of the entirety of the seven-year sentence imposed (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In October 2011 the couple, with a last address at Rosewood Grove, Lucan, were sentenced to seven years suspended by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after they pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of 45kg of herbal cannabis. Counsel for the State, Ms Roisin Lacey BL, said that Jervis and Doyle had pleaded guilty to the possession of a significant amount of cannabis, and the primary area in which the DPP believed there was an error in principle was the suspension of the entirety of the seven-year sentence imposed.
Applicant
Charges: possession for sale or supply of 45kg of herbal cannabis; the possession of a significant amount of cannabis, and the primary area in which the DPP believed there was an error in principle was the suspension of the entirety of the seven-year sentence imposed (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Public Prosecutions on grounds of undue leniency against the seven-year suspended sentence imposed on Keith Jervis (36) and Therese Doyle (35). In October 2011 the couple, with a last address at Rosewood Grove, Lucan, were sentenced to seven years suspended by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after they pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of 45kg of herbal cannabis.
Applicant
Charges: possession for sale or supply of 45kg of herbal cannabis; the possession of a significant amount of cannabis, and the primary area in which the DPP believed there was an error in principle was the suspension of the entirety of the seven-year sentence imposed (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The Court of Criminal Appeal this afternoon said it would reserve judgement in the case of an appeal brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions on grounds of undue leniency against the seven-year suspended sentence imposed on Keith Jervis (36) and Therese Doyle (35). Counsel for the State, Ms Roisin Lacey BL, said that Jervis and Doyle had pleaded guilty to the possession of a significant amount of cannabis, and the primary area in which the DPP believed there was an error in principle was the suspension of the entirety of the seven-year sentence imposed.
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