Courts / Limerick / Report
Cannabis importer who appeared in RTE "second chance" documentary has sentenced reduced by 4 years on appeal
Summary
Patrick Scanlon, a 55-year-old restaurateur with an address on the Channel Island of Jersey, successfully appealed his sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the possession and importation of cannabis worth €79,000 from Spain to a house in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, on August 8, 2013. Following a three-week trial, a jury found him guilty, and Mr Justice Caroll Moran sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment on May 21, 2014. On appeal, a three-judge panel comprising Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, and Mr Justice John Edwards reviewed the case. The court accepted submissions from Mr Michael O'Higgins SC that the original sentence was excessive given mitigating factors, including Scanlon's charitable works, such as running marathons in prison and raising funds for Chernobyl children. The court identified an error in principle regarding the sentencing judge's assessment. Consequently, the panel quashed the original 15-year sentence and imposed a reduced sentence of 11 years imprisonment. This decision reflects a four-year reduction based on the additional material submitted, which highlighted Scanlon's efforts to do good and his lack of status as a hardened criminal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cannabis importer who appeared in RTE "second chance" documentary has sentenced reduced by 4 years on appeal. Charges or matters: the possession and importation of cannabis worth €79,000 from Spain to a house in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick on August 8 2013. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- August 8 2013 Incident
- May 21, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-12-15 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the possession and importation of cannabis worth €79,000 from Spain to a house in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick on August 8 2013 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury following a three week trial and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Mr Justice Caroll Moran on May 21, 2014.
Appellant
Charges: the possession and importation of cannabis worth €79,000 from Spain to a house in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick on August 8 2013 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury following a three week trial and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Mr Justice Caroll Moran on May 21, 2014. Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, quashed Scanlon's original sentence and imposed in its place a sentence of 11 years imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- Limerick
- Limerick Circuit Criminal Court
- Limerick
- Limerick prison
Topics
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