Courts / Kilkenny / Report
Wexford man has sentence tripled over "biggest cannabis growing facility" ever found in Ireland
Summary
In 2016 the Court of Appeal found the sentences given to two men for their roles in Ireland's largest cannabis‑growing facility too lenient. Rory Kilkenny, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale and was originally sentenced to four years. Christopher Zinck, 32, also pleaded guilty and received a wholly suspended nine‑year sentence. The Court of Appeal re‑sentenced Kilkenny to 12 years, suspending the final four, and reduced Zinck's sentence by one year, keeping it suspended, hoping his rehabilitation could be preserved. The facility, discovered in Piltown, Kilkenny, contained 2,504 plants and 43.54 kg of cannabis, valued at €2,874,174. Three Asian gardeners were sentenced to seven years with six suspended. The Court noted Kilkenny's essential role and a subsequent offence in 2014, and Zinck's involvement in a serious enterprise but also his exceptional recovery, leading to the adjusted sentences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Wexford man has sentence tripled over "biggest cannabis growing facility" ever found in Ireland. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Kidalton, Piltown, Co Kilkenny on May 2, 2013; the same offence. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 2, 2013 Incident
- May 20, 2015 Incident
- June 2014 Incident
- February 13, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-02-22 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the same offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Kilkenny was sentenced to four years imprisonment while Zinck was given a wholly suspended nine year sentence by Judge Alice Doyle on May 20, 2015. Accordingly, the Court of Appeal re-sentenced Kilkenny to 12 years imprisonment with the final four suspended while Zinck's case was put back one year "in the hope" that the "exceptional" rehabilitation he had achieved to date could be maintained.; Accordingly, the Court of Appeal re-sentenced Kilkenny to 12 years imprisonment with the final four suspended while Zinck's case was put back one year "in the hope" that the "exceptional" rehabilitation he had achieved to date could be maintained.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Kidalton, Piltown, Co Kilkenny on May 2, 2013; the same offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Kilkenny was sentenced to four years imprisonment while Zinck was given a wholly suspended nine year sentence by Judge Alice Doyle on May 20, 2015. Accordingly, the Court of Appeal re-sentenced Kilkenny to 12 years imprisonment with the final four suspended while Zinck's case was put back one year "in the hope" that the "exceptional" rehabilitation he had achieved to date could be maintained.; Accordingly, the Court of Appeal re-sentenced Kilkenny to 12 years imprisonment with the final four suspended while Zinck's case was put back one year "in the hope" that the "exceptional" rehabilitation he had achieved to date could be maintained.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Carlow
- Carlow Circuit Criminal Court
- The Circuit Court
- Wharton House
Topics
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