Almost half of serious drug cases result in sentences of five to 10 years, with penalties of close to 30 years being imposed in a small number of cases.
A study to be published today by the Irish Sentencing Information System, an initiative chaired by Chief Justice Susan Denham, also shows that heroin and cocaine account for 70 per cent of all serious drugs offences that came before the courts in recent years.
The research, based on 81 cases at the Court of Criminal Appeal between 2009 and 2012, finds that in serious cases of drug possession, sale or importation, just 23 per cent of offenders get the “presumed” minimum of 10 years or more.
Some 46 per cent receive a 5-10-year sentence, 18 per cent get 2-5 years and 3 per cent less than two years.
Possession of larger amounts and harder types of drugs result in harsher sentences. In the study sample, three cases attracted a penalty of 27-30 years. In less serious cases – where value of the drugs is below €13,000 – three quarters of offenders (75 per cent) receive 2-5 years, 5 per cent more than five years, 15 per cent less than two years and 5 per cent suspended sentences.
Drug in question
The report, by Kelly Mackey of the Judicial Researchers’ Office, shows that the most common drug in question was cocaine (45 per cent of cases), followed by heroin (25 per cent), cannabis (21 per cent) and ecstasy and other amphetamines (6 per cent). The large majority (93 per cent) of offenders in the sample were male.
The study identifies four factors that feature most prominently when judges hand down sentences for drug trafficking: the quantity or value of the drugs, the type of drugs, the role of the offender and his/her condition.
Source: Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, Irish Times, 07/05/14
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
