Courier serving 10 years for drugs transfer gets concurrent sentence

A man serving a 10-year sentence for his role in a €2.8m drugs transfer has been given a concurrent sentence for transporting a smaller cache some days earlier near Dublin Port.

David White (aged 45), originally from Riverside Estate, Coolock, but then living in Liverpool,was observed by gardaí in a surveillance operation transferring cannabis and amphetamines valued €118,000 to a van shortly after his truck arrived on the ferry from Holyhead

The Garda National Drugs Unit decided not to apprehend him at the time to assist their operation but the criminal who took delivery of the cache was followed and arrested.

White pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession for sale or supply of the drugs at Sherriff Street on March 8, 2006.

Sergeant Michael Treacy, formerly of the Garda National Drugs Unit, told prosecuting counsel, Mr Dominic McGinn BL, that after White was caught on March 13, 2006 transferring cannabis valued at €2.8m from his truck into a van he also admitted his involvement in the March 8 crime.

Sgt Treacy agreed with defence counsel, Mr Erwan Mill-Arden SC (with Ms Sandra Feahney BL), that White had no previous conviction either in Ireland or England and had expressed sincere remorse.

White wouldn’t "name names" out of fear for his family but admitted to gardaí that he had been offered £1,000 (€1,100) to transport the drugs in his truck.

Mr Mill Arden submitted that White had achieved qualification as an interntional truck driver by his own efforts and carried out the crimes because of pressing family circumstances at the time. Reports before the court showed he was a model prisoner with trustee status.

Judge Patricia Ryan accepted that White had expressed sincere remorse to both his family and the community for his roles in both crimes and noted that under legislation he could have had life sentences imposed, or at least terms of 10 years.

She said that in all the circumstances, including the date of the crime, she would impose a similar sentence as he was presently serving of 10 years with the final two suspended, and backdated to the time of his arrest.