Courts / Carlow / Report
2.5-year sentences over €1.3m cannabis raid too lenient, court finds
Summary
Two Polish nationals, Tomasz Witkowski (41) and Mariusz Sowa (39), were arrested in March 2018 in Co Carlow for possessing €1.3 million worth of cannabis. They pleaded guilty and were each jailed for two‑and‑a‑half years by Judge James McCourt in April 2019. Prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentences were unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, reviewed the case and re‑sentenced both men to six years imprisonment. The court noted that Gardaí had seized 65 kg of cannabis in 77 packets, along with €21,000 in cash, and that the drugs had been prepared for distribution across Ireland. The appeal highlighted that the men were not mere couriers but played an integral part in the distribution network, and that the original sentences failed to meet deterrence requirements.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 2.5-year sentences over €1.3m cannabis raid too lenient, court finds. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 30, 2018 Incident
- April 1, 2019 Incident
- March 30 Other
- 2020-01-16 Publication
Places mentioned
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