Courts / Dublin / Report

Nine-year sentence upheld for moving €2.5m in cannabis

Summary

George Finglas, who lived on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7, was sentenced to nine years in prison for transporting more than 128 kg of cannabis, worth an estimated €2.56 million, to reduce a gambling debt. He pleaded guilty last year and appealed the sentence as excessive. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, rejected all grounds of appeal, stating the sentencing judge had made no error and the sentence was not disproportionate. In February 2021, Revenue officials discovered two pallets of cannabis at Dublin Port, and Gardaí from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau conducted a surveillance operation that led to Finglas's arrest at a commercial premises in Lusk, Co Dublin. Finglas admitted moving the drugs under direction, citing a €25,000 gambling debt and fear of debtors. He had no prior convictions and entered an early guilty plea.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Nine-year sentence upheld for moving €2.5m in cannabis. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• February 2nd, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-12-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report