Courts / Cork / Report

Appeal struck out on death of 'lifelong criminal'

Summary

John Heaphy, a 64‑year‑old from Kerryhall Road, Fairhill, Cork, died in February after a prolonged illness while serving a 10‑year prison sentence for the sale or supply of heroin worth €37,000. The sentence, imposed in October 2015 by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin, was described by the judge as "tragic" that a man of Heaphy's age and health had to be dealt with in this way, yet the judge noted that Heaphy had "given his life to drug sale and supply and this is the harvest he will do." Heaphy had previously been convicted of drug offences with a street value exceeding €13,000, for which he served six years and was released less than a year before the second conviction. The unnamed 64-year-old pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Appeal struck out on death of 'lifelong criminal'. Charges or matters: the burning of cars in residential areas in Fairhill, in May 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 2015 Other
• May 2014 Other
• 2020-03-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report