Courts / Dublin / Report
Addict caught packaging millions in drugs to be sent back to jail
Summary
In December 2020 the Court of Appeal increased the sentence of Mark O'Dwyer, a 46‑year‑old former inmate, for his role in a large‑scale drug distribution hub that involved €4.17 million worth of heroin and cannabis. O'Dwyer had pleaded guilty in July 2017 to possession of drugs for sale or supply at a Ballyfermot Drive address and to three counts of possessing stun guns. He had previously served 41 convictions and was released from prison before the appeal. The Court of Appeal, after agreeing with the DPP that his original five‑year sentence was unduly lenient, raised it to nine years, citing the exceptional circumstance that he had already been released and had resumed normal family life and employment. The decision was made by Justices Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, John Edwards and Patrick McCarthy, who noted that a harsher sentence would have been inappropriate given his circumstances. The judgment was delivered on 10 December 2020.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Addict caught packaging millions in drugs to be sent back to jail. Charges or matters: the same offence and had previously been jailed for seven years by the same judge, who later sentenced O'Dwyer. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 17, 2017 Incident
- July 2018 Incident
- 2020-12-10 Publication
Why: Counsel explained that O'Dwyer had 'significantly impaired intellectual functioning'. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: the same offence and had previously been jailed for seven years by the same judge, who later sentenced O'Dwyer (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Stephen Sarsfield (41) of New Street Gardens in Dublin, pleaded guilty to the same offence and had previously been jailed for seven years by the same judge, who later sentenced O'Dwyer. Sarsfield's sentence was last year increased by three years by the Court of Appeal.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Watling Street
- Dublin
- New Street Gardens
- Ballyfermot Drive
Topics
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