Drug dealer appeals sentence over time to prepare case

A drug dealer who read law textbooks in prison today claimed he had not been given adequate time to defend himself in a trial two years ago.

Mark Desmond, (aged 27), from Lally Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, is appealing his eight-year sentence for firearms offences in 2002.

At the Court of Criminal Appeal, senior counsel for Desmond, Paul Coffey said his client had not been given adequate time to prepare his defence when he sacked his legal team at the opening of the trial. He added that the presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Carney had refused to provide an adjournment.

Desmond had been charged with the double murder of Darren Carey, 20, and Patrick Murray, 19. Their bodies were recovered from the Grand Canal at Karnuistown Bridge, Co Kildare, after they had been shot dead around New Year’s Eve in 1999.

However, the state dropped the charge of double murder before the trial began and instead prosecuted Desmond on a charge of unlawful possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

During the trial the court heard that Desmond had been unable to read when he left school at the age of 13. However he remedied this during a two-and-a-half year prison sentence, telling the court that his knowledge of the Irish Constitution was second to none and that he was as good a reader as anyone.

Senior counsel for the State, Patrick Gageby said the trial judge had done nothing to prevent Desmond from seeking further legal assistance before the trial began. He said Mr Justice Carney had ruled out an adjournment of the trial because he was well able to spot a stunt.

“My respectful submission is that Mr Desmond was anxious to avoid trial,” he said.

The case continues.