Ireland imposes longest jail terms for drugs offences

IRELAND imposes the longest prison sentences for drugs offences in Europe, according to the EU drugs agency.

The finding by the European Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) seems to contradict long-running claims from some quarters that Irish judges are soft on drug dealers.

In a special report on sentencing, the body said that, based on information available, Ireland had the longest average prison sentence, at 34 months.