Courts / Cork / Report
"Store man" for cannabis has appeal dismissed
Summary
Donal Ryan, 49, of Kingsfort Avenue, Mallow, pleaded guilty in 2014 to possessing almost €100,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Annakissa, Co Cork. He was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. Ryan appealed the sentence, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling that the eight‑year term was within the available range. The court noted that Gardaí had conducted a surveillance operation targeting Ryan, who was observed at an isolated church and later arrested when cannabis worth €96,000 was seized from a van. Ryan claimed he was a "collector and store man," a role the judge deemed higher than mere storage. His barrister argued that the Criminal Assets Bureau had returned his Q7 jeep and that his partner was working, but the court found no error in the sentencing decision. The appeal was dismissed by Justices Birmingham, Sheehan and Edwards.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Store man" for cannabis has appeal dismissed. Charges or matters: possessing almost €100,000 worth cannabis for sale or supply at Annakissa, Co Cork on February 14, 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 14, 2013 Incident
- February 28, 2014 Incident
- 2016-07-18 Publication
Why: Mr McGinn submitted that this evidence led the sentencing judge into error because the judge suspected Ryan's involvement was at a higher level. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possessing almost €100,000 worth cannabis for sale or supply at Annakissa, Co Cork on February 14, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on February 28, 2014. Ryan had an appeal against sentence dismissed today, with the Court of Appeal holding that his term was not outside the available range.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- The Circuit Court
- Kingsfort Avenue
- Mallow
Topics
Related court reports
- 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years
- High Court to hear allegation of State 'cover up' surrounding death of 25-year-old
- Murderer of Conor Quinn fails in bid to overturn conviction
- Uncertain whether statement of 'pivotal' murder trial witness was true account, appeal told
- Terms of injunction being complied with, immigrant charity tells High Court
- Charity helping Ukrainian refugees gets injunction against 'ex' CEO after 'chaotic' week
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request