Courts / Dublin / Report
Israeli teen avoids jail for importing khat
Summary
Ruth Ben Haim, a 19‑year‑old from Tel Aviv, was stopped at Dublin Airport after arriving from Finland with nearly €20,000 worth of the plant stimulant khat. The plant, legal in Israel in its natural form, is a controlled substance in Ireland. Ben Haim pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply. She was dealt with by the Garda Juvenile Liaison and returned to Israel without charge, having spent a week in custody and then released on bail. The court, noting her age and lack of prior convictions, imposed a fully suspended one‑year sentence, requiring her to keep the peace and behave well for one year. The case was heard by Judge Martin Nolan, with counsel for the prosecution and defence present. The other girl on the flight was also found with a similar amount of khat. The court heard that the plant is widely used in north‑east African countries such as Somalia.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Israeli teen avoids jail for importing khat. Charges or matters: possession of drugs for sale or supply at Dublin Airport, on September 10, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 10, 2019 Incident
- 2020-05-22 Publication
Why: The court heard that because she was aged under 18 at the time, she was dealt with by the Garda Juvenile Liaison and returned to Israel without charge. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of drugs for sale or supply at Dublin Airport, on September 10, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Ben Haim to one year imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in full on condition that she keep the peace and be of good behaviour for one year.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin District Court
- Rathfarnham Road
Topics
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