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Woman caught with 80k untaxed cigarettes avoids jail
Summary
Joanna McGuinness, 41, pleaded guilty to evading excise duty on over 80,000 untaxed cigarettes and 35 kg of tobacco seized from her Paul Street home in Dublin 7. The loss to the exchequer was €66,881. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, after hearing the case, imposed a three‑year sentence but suspended it entirely, citing the impact imprisonment would have on her children, one of whom has serious health problems. Judge Martin Nolan noted McGuinness's sole care of the children and her previous convictions, including revenue offences, as factors in the decision. The cigarettes and tobacco were confiscated, and a quantity of cash was also seized. McGuinness is now employed and described as being in a stable period of her life. The case was adjourned overnight for sentencing before the final decision was announced.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman caught with 80k untaxed cigarettes avoids jail. Charges or matters: a charge of evasion of excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco found at her home in Paul Street, Dublin 7 on June 23, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 23, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-05-15 Publication
Why: Today he handed McGuinness a sentence of three years but suspended it entirely because of the effect her imprisonment would have on her child. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a charge of evasion of excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco found at her home in Paul Street, Dublin 7 on June 23, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today he handed McGuinness a sentence of three years but suspended it entirely because of the effect her imprisonment would have on her child.; After hearing facts yesterday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider sentence.
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