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UK national caught carrying €155k worth of cocaine at Dublin Port has jail term cut on appeal
Summary
Anthony Atkinson, a 49‑year‑old UK national from Queensbury, Bradford, pleaded guilty to possessing €155,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Port on 31 October 2014. He was originally sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. On appeal, the Court of Appeal re‑sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment, suspending the final four‑and‑a‑half years. The court noted that the drugs were concealed in a door panel of a vehicle stopped by customs officers, and that Atkinson admitted transporting them to settle a drug debt. He had 42 prior convictions, mainly for small drug offences, and had struggled with drug addiction since 1992. The judge cited his early plea, admissions to Gardaí, treatment efforts, and his status as a foreign national as mitigating factors. The final suspended term was four‑and‑a‑half years, leaving a 10‑year custodial term.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: UK national caught carrying €155k worth of cocaine at Dublin Port has jail term cut on appeal. Charges or matters: possessing €155,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Port on October 31, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 31, 2014 Incident
- April 7, 2014 Incident
- 2015-11-13 Publication
Why: Furthermore, his status as a foreign national meant his time in prison would be particularly difficult because he had no friends of family in Ireland, the judge said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possessing €155,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Port on October 31, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Mary Ellen Ring on April 7, 2014. Atkinson successfully appealed his sentence today and accordingly the Court of Appeal re-sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment with the final four-and-a-half years suspended.
Appellant
Charges: possessing €155,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Port on October 31, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
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