Courts / Donegal / Report
Lithuanian jailed for six years for having cannabis "grow house" fails in appeal
Summary
A Lithuanian national has failed in his appeal against a six-year custodial sentence imposed for cannabis cultivation offences in Donegal. Andrias Gruodis, aged 35, with an address in Ballybofey, had pleaded guilty in Letterkenny Circuit Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply and cultivation of cannabis. Judge John O'Hagan imposed concurrent six-year terms in July 2011 for the operation of a "grow house" where drugs valued at less than €24,000 were produced. The Court of Appeal heard that Gruodis had fully cooperated with gardaí and submitted that duress had played a role, with an undesirable element pressuring his sister. His barrister argued for a suspended sentence and voluntary deportation. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the offence was inherently serious, premeditated, and involved deliberate measures to evade detection. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, sitting with the President and two colleagues, found the sentence proportionate and dismissed the application.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lithuanian jailed for six years for having cannabis "grow house" fails in appeal. Charges or matters: possession of drugs for sale or supply and the cultivation of cannabis in Letterkenny Circuit Court three years ago. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-11-14 Publication
Why: Mr McDonagh said the sentence, which began in January 2011, will expire in 2017 but Gruodis is expected to be released in June of next year because he is a "model prisoner". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possession of drugs for sale or supply and the cultivation of cannabis in Letterkenny Circuit Court three years ago (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge John O'Hagan had sentenced Gruodis to two concurrent six-year jail terms for the offences in July 2011. Mr McDonagh said Gruodis was willing to agree to a voluntary deportation from the country if a suspended sentence was imposed but the trial court did not go down that route.
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