Man jailed over €440m drugs loses appeal

A man jailed over the seizure of a record €440m drugs consignment off the Cork coast in 2007 has lost his bid to bring another appeal over his conviction and sentence.

Perry Wharrie, aged 56, Loughton, Essex, England, was jailed for 30 years, later reduced on appeal to 17 and a half years, over the cocaine haul at Dunlough Bay on the Mizen peninsula.

He had asked the Court of Appeal to certify an appeal to the Supreme Court on a point of law. It was argued the offences of possession of the drugs for sale in supply had not been committed because the evidence showed the cocaine was destined for another jurisdiction.