Courts / Dublin / Report

Italian cigarette smuggler sleeping on streets since arrest, court hears

Summary

A 60‑year‑old Italian woman, Antonia Giuliana Pintus, was arrested for smuggling 19,920 cigarettes into Dublin Airport without Irish tax stamps. She was caught on a flight from Dubai, spent 12 days in custody, and was granted bail. Pintus, a dual Canadian‑Italian citizen with no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to evasion of duty on 19,920 cigarettes valued at €16,280, resulting in a duty loss of €8,954. She claimed she had been offered a €1,000 payment to bring the cigarettes to Ireland, citing financial hardship after a home‑help employer's death. Her defence highlighted her economic difficulties and her family's support. Judge Orla Crowe described the case as unusual, noting Pintus's clean record and the hardships she endured. The judge imposed a six‑month sentence, suspended in full, and ordered 18 months of good behaviour.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Italian cigarette smuggler sleeping on streets since arrest, court hears. Charges or matters: evasion of duty on the cigarettes at Dublin Airport, on April 17, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 17, 2024 Other
• 2024-05-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report