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Van driver "targeted" by criminals to transport heroin will not face prison despite appeal by prosecutors
Summary
Anthony Naughton, a 29‑year‑old van driver from Ballyfermot, Dublin, was sentenced to a wholly suspended six‑year prison term for possessing €137,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply at Steeples Apartment Complex in Chapelizod on 6 February 2012. He had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Court of Appeal dismissed the Director of Public Prosecutions' appeal that the sentence was unduly lenient. The court noted that Naughton had been targeted because of his "appearance of cleanliness", had been physically assaulted, had his jaw broken, his vehicle vandalised and his parents threatened if he did not comply with the criminals' demands. The court found the duress, threats to his family, attacks on him and his property were exceptional circumstances that justified a high degree of leniency, and therefore upheld the suspended sentence. No prison term was imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Van driver "targeted" by criminals to transport heroin will not face prison despite appeal by prosecutors. Charges or matters: possessing €137,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply at Steeples Apartment Complex in Chapelizod on February 6 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 6 2012 Incident
- January 15 2014 Incident
- 2015-04-13 Publication
Why: A van driver "targeted" by criminals to transport heroin because of his "appearance of cleanliness" will not face prison despite an appeal by prosecutors. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possessing €137,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply at Steeples Apartment Complex in Chapelizod on February 6 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was given a wholly suspended six-year prison sentence by Judge Mary Ellen Ring on January 15 2014.
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