An Englishman jailed for 17 years following the seizure of £47 million worth of cocaine in Cork harbour, the largest drugs haul in the history of the State, yesterday lost his appeal to have his sentence reduced.
The Court of Criminal Appeal said it was taking into account the seriousness of the offences of Gordon Richards and that it was a matter for the Minister for Justice.
Richards (51) who was brought up in the West Indies from the age of three, was sentenced by Cork Circuit Criminal Court three years ago after he admitted charges of possession of the cocaine with intent to supply.
Delivering the judgment of the three-judge Court of Criminal Appeal, Mr Justice Barron said a number of factors deserved consideration including Richards's age and the fact that his health suffered because he was unaccustomed to the Irish climate.
The judge said there was a suggestion Richards had gone into the drug operation with his eyes closed and that he was under duress to continue with it. The court had heard Richards would be aged 62 on release.
Mr Brendan Grogan SC, for Richards, said he had led a totally unblemished life before getting involved in the drugsmuggling operation. There was nothing to say he had been a prime mover. A boat had been chartered and he later found men with guns were involved.
Richards had gone along with the operation because of threats against his partner and child. He had admitted involvement within minutes of being interviewed by gardai. There was another person directing operations and telling his client what to do.
His health was deteriorating and he feared he would not survive his sentence. Counsel said his asthma was adversely affected by the Irish climate.
Counsel for the DPP, Mr Denis Vaughan-Buckley SC, agreed the sentence was very long but added the drug seizure was one of the largest made in the State.