Four Co Louth men were jailed at Dundalk Circuit Court yesterday over the seizure of cannabis resin worth between €1.5 million and €2 million.
The drugs were imported into the country by lorry from Manchester and were recovered in a Garda raid at Prospect House, Cavan, Ardee Road, Dundalk, on February 25th last year.
A 10-year term was imposed on James "Jamesie" McDonagh (39) of Rossmakeagh, Knockbridge, Dundalk, who was described as "the brains behind the operation".
The court heard he organised the transport arrangements and paid Brian Mulligan (25) of Church View, Dromiskin, Co Louth, to fly over to Manchester and drive the drugs back hidden among furniture in an English-registered furniture removals lorry.
Mulligan told gardaí that James McDonagh had offered him €1,500 to drive the lorry back to Ireland and that he met him and another man in a hotel in Manchester where they stayed the night.
The following day he was taken to a car park where he was given the keys to the lorry.
Mulligan delivered the truck to a yard where skips were being stored, but was not there when the search was carried out. He was detained two days later. After initially denying any involvement, he later made statements of admission.
James McDonagh denied any involvement during 11 interviews and denied leasing the yard where the drugs shipment was found and even tried to switch the blame to his brother Frank by claiming he had leased the property.
The court heard the two other defendants - McDonagh's brother Thomas (36) from Cedarwood Park, Dundalk, and Scott Neary (34) of The Crescent, Lennonstown Manor, Dundalk - were arrested after they were seen helping unload boxes of the drug.
Both men pleaded guilty to the possession of cannabis resin for sale or supply.
Judge Raymond Groarke jailed Mulligan for six years as he said it was clear his role was that of a labourer. He imposed three-year terms on Thomas McDonagh and Scott Neary.