Restaurateur loses appeal over importing cannabis

A restaurateur jailed for importing cannabis worth €79,000 has had his appeal against conviction dismissed.

Patrick Scanlon, aged 55, from west Limerick but with an address on the Channel Island of Jersey, had pleaded not guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to the possession and importation of cannabis worth €79,000 from Spain to a house in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, on August 8, 2013.

He was found guilty by a jury following a three-week trial and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on May 21, 2014.