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A NEW REPORT published by the courts service has revealed that cocaine and heroin are involved in seven out of 10 serious drugs cases heard.
The research by the Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) showed that cocaine was involved in 45 per cent of cases, while heroin accounted for 25 per cent of incidences.
In serious cases of possession, sale or importation of drugs, just less than a quarter of offenders get the ‘presumed minimum’ of 10 years or more. Almost half get between five and 10 years, while 18 per cent receive between two- and five-year terms.
Three per cent were handed down sentences of less than two years.
Possession of larger amounts and “harder types” of drugs meant longer and harsher sentences. Three cases, connected to the largest cocaine haul in the history of the State, attracted between 27 and 30 years imprisonment.
On 2 July 2007, a smuggling operation saw €440 million worth or 1.5 tonnes of cocaine intercepted by authorities. Three individuals were each sentenced to 30 years, 30 years and 25 years for their roles.
The ISIS analysis looked at 81 separate cases which saw a total of almost 70 per cent of offenders receive sentences of over five years.
Of those offenders, the overwhelming majority (93 per cent) were male.
Cannabis accounted for 21 per cent of cases, while ecstasy or other amphetamines were involved in 6 per cent. MDMA and LSD were the centre of 2 per cent and 1 per cent of cases respectively.
The ISIS report states that the value of haul is determined as one of the most important factors in sentencing by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
In less serious charges – where the value of the drugs is below €13,000 – three quarters of offenders received between two and five years, 5 per cent got over five years, while another five per cent got suspended sentences.
However, value and quantity is not the sole determining factor. The type of drug, the role of the offender and the offender’s condition are also seen an being particularly influential mitigating factors.
The report identifies many mitigating and aggravating factors that apply in sentencing for drug supply offences.
“Exceptional and specific circumstances” are a subset of mitigating factors but set a higher threshold than mitigating factors generally in sentencing law because all “exceptional and specific circumstances” are mitigating factors, but not all mitigating factors constitute “exceptional and specific circumstances”.
The analysis in the report identifies the following “exceptional and specific circumstances” from cases before the Court of Criminal Appeal:
A further analysis of sentences in almost 100 drugs cases in the Circuit Court will be published in the coming weeks.
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A Greek tragedy.
Watch dictatorship win over democracy and weep.
So much for all this “cradle of democracy” and “why don’t we do the same in Ireland” nonsense, reality kicks in hopefully
I for one hope the Greeks get their referendum and the result that will hopefully lead to the collapse of the euro and all the shit that goes with it.
The harsh reality for millions of Greeks is that romantic notions about democracy won’t put food on the table next month. They have a stark choice. Accept the bail out.. Death by a thousand cuts… Or reject the bailout… Instant death. Their pompous politicians ought to be ashamed for bring their Nation to it’s knees.
The € will croak and the quicker and less painful the better,Insane concept from the off.
Why was it insane?
We are witnessing the explicit emergence of authoritarian capitalism. No longer can we have any illusion that democracy has any part to play in the plans of those who wish to continue with unending wealth accumulation.
Meanwhile on the streets of Oakland we see this http://twitpic.com/7aazyi
The game has yet to be played out. If this kinda of authoritarianism is not resisted as China becomes the greatest superpower idea of genuine democracy will be snuffed out for sure. thats the choice now authoritarian capitalism where societys rule are organised from above by and few for a few. Or democracy from below where we govern ourselves as equals. The idea that there is no left and no right is the greatest stunt the right has pulled, but make no doubt of the iron fist that lies at the heart of the “free markets”
Emergence of authoritarian capitalism !!!! it’s been that way since man came out of the caves
We are not an automatic democracy. We elect representatives and they think for us for five years. Vote good quality people in every five years then largely STFU. However if we vote in venal twits like about 50% of our politicians are we’ll have to keep demanding a vote every 6 months no matter what. It is not part of (or even good practice in any circumstances) to give everyone a broad vote on every economics bill.
Now some you can make an argument for but one that writes down vast chunks of their debt is the only way to go.
“Instant death” is bit dramatic don’t you think. Headline should read ‘Greek finance minister’s grab for power’.
Come on Papandreou!
A figure of speech only. I don’t envisage bodies all over Athens streets.. This is getting dangerous now. Financial warfare is being unleashed on Europes citizens. Dramatic enough??:)
And the Greeks (via referendum) are fighting back.
A bit of back peddling finally! About time
Napoleon in high heels and Hitler in drag. Don’t worry. All is not lost. This is the final act in the farce that is “the markets”.
This is the future – Ordinary Greeks are taking matters into their own hands:
“In early October, a peculiar news item barely made its way into the back pages of Greek national press: in the northern city of Veria, a small group of people had started reconnecting the electricity supply of households disconnected from the national grid due to bill non-payment. This kind of solidarity action seemed rather abnormal.
Then again, it is difficult to define what constitutes normality in the country nowadays – the upper echelon of political power is in an unprecedented turmoil, and Tuesday’s referendum announcement by prime minister George Papandreou, followed by him reportedly preparing to step down, has thrown his political allies and foes into a tailspin. Parliamentary opposition parties are calling for a “national unity” government, snap elections, or a succession of the two; the entire mainstream political spectrum in the country seems to have entered a delirious state of panic. In a stunningly surreal scene, eurozone leaders and global markets are nervously waiting for people in Greece to cast a vote.
And yet, at this precise moment, Greek people are realising they are left with what they had at the outset – that is, absolutely nothing to hope for from the mainstream political scene.”
See more here http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/03/greeks-austerity-grassroots?CMP=twt_gu
What’s brendan Gleason doing there
Lol neo.
have your say