Smugglers target lax Irish courts

The leniency of the courts and the lack of policing resources is ensuring that Ireland continues to be a prime target for international smugglers, a retail group has claimed.

Retailers Against Smuggling, which represents independent retailers in the fight against the black market, was reacting to the latest Revenue defaulters’ figures. According to the data, half of those convicted of cigarette smuggling in the last quarter gave an address outside the State, primarily in eastern Europe, but also in Britain and Africa.

“This information shows that regrettably we remain a target for international crime gangs who still see Ireland as being soft on smugglers,” said Benny Gilsenan, spokesman for RAS, which represents 3,000 retailers nationwide.