Courts / Dublin / Report

Former CIE bus driver pleads guilty in international drug importation trial

Date
2014-10-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Sunny Idah, a former CIE bus driver, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to soliciting another person to unlawfully import cocaine between September 14 and 19, 2010. The plea was entered a week after his trial commenced. Judge Catherine Murphy remanded Idah in custody for sentencing in December. Prosecutors alleged that Idah, using the alias Mr T, recruited two undercover gardaí posing as Polish nationals to swallow one kilogram of cocaine each in Brazil and smuggle it to Ireland. He offered each €5,000 for the transport of drugs with an estimated street value of €140,000. Idah was arrested the day the men were scheduled to depart. Idah had previously been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for this and another drug trafficking offence, but that conviction was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal due to issues with the authorisation of secret recordings. Defence counsel Noel McCarthy SC noted Idah's remorse and lack of violent history, stating he had been in custody for four years. The matter was adjourned for sentencing in December.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former CIE bus driver pleads guilty in international drug importation trial. Charges or matters: soliciting another person to unlawfully import cocaine on dates between September 14 and 19, 2010. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 14 Adjournment
2014-10-17 Publication

Why: " He explained that Idah, who has been in custody for four years, had become friendly with people from Nigeria and was asked to get involved in the enterprise. CNI source report

Case subjects

Former Cie

Convicted Person

Charges: soliciting another person to unlawfully import cocaine on dates between September 14 and 19, 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: FORMER CIE bus driver is to be sentenced later for soliciting two undercover gardaí to import cocaine from Brazil.; Judge Catherine Murphy remanded Idah in custody for sentencing in December.

Sunny Idah

Defendant

Charges: soliciting another person to unlawfully import cocaine on dates between September 14 and 19, 2010 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Idah was previously sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for this and another drug trafficking offence.; Judge Catherine Murphy remanded Idah in custody for sentencing in December.