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Court 'unimpressed' with dad who made 'commercial decision' to store €700k in drugs

Summary

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by Darren King, a father-of-five from Ballyfermot, Dublin, who challenged the severity of his seven-year prison sentence. King had previously pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at locations on Ballyfermot Road, Cole Park Road, and his home on April 23, 2019. The original sentence, handed down by Judge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, was reduced from a headline term of 12 years. King's counsel, Seamus Clarke SC, argued that King was not a typical courier and cited mitigating factors, including a back injury and a co-accused who received a wholly suspended sentence. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Eoghan Cole BL, maintained that the sentence contained a significant deterrent element and was well within bounds. The appellate panel, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, agreed with the sentencing judge's assessment that King was actively storing and distributing drugs. The court stated it was "unimpressed" by King's arguments, noting he made a "commercial decision" to store €700,000 worth of drugs to pay off debts. The appeal was rejected, and the seven-year sentence stands.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court 'unimpressed' with dad who made 'commercial decision' to store €700k in drugs. Charges or matters: having cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at locations on Ballyfermot Road, Cole Park Road and at his home on April 23, 2019. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• April 23, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2022-01-27 Publication

Why: He refused to answer some questions put to him by gardaí because he said he was concerned for his own safety but he accepted that he owned the money. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report