Man to be sentenced for trafficking drugs

A drugs mule who attempted to smuggle over €50,000 worth of herbal cannabis into Ireland from Brussels is to be sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court next month.

James Hickey (aged 29) claimed he was “in fear of someone” and had picked up the suitcase in Belgium from a person unknown to him and was to meet someone in Dublin to whom he was to deliver the drugs.

Hickey, of Parkview Estate, Blackhorse Avenue, who has no previous convictions, was found guilty by a jury on May 12 last of possession of herbal cannabis for sale/supply and to unlawful importation of herbal cannabis at Dublin Airport on December 29, 2008

Garda Brendan Healy told Mr Vincent Henegan BL, prosecuting, that Hickey was stopped at Customs & Excise in Dublin Airport and his grey suitcase was searched in a private room.

A total of six bags of herbal cannabis weighing 5,925.3 grams valued at €53,327 was found in the suitcase.

Hickey, an unemployed father of one, said he picked up the drugs from “someone in Brussels” and was to “await further instructions as to who to hand it over to in Dublin.”

Mr Ciaran O’Loughlin SC, defending, said Hickey, who is a long-standing member of Cabra Celtic football club, was “under duress” to smuggle the drugs into Ireland.

“There was no profit for him and he did not realise how much the drugs were worth and the accused is not the main player. This act was forced on him by more serious criminals,” said Mr O’Loughlin.

Hickey completed an IT course at Colaiste Ide College of Further Education in Finglas West after he was made redundant as a scaffolder and volunteers at a Dublin Christian Mission helping with an after-schools project.

He said in a letter addressed to the court that he was extremely remorseful and is “ashamed and disgusted” at his actions and bad decision.

“From this day on I will always remember the hurt I have caused to my family and I hope my son’s life will not be effected emotionally and I ask for my family’s forgiveness,” said Hickey.

Hickey’s uncle, Mr David Owen, told the court the “family is devastated and appalled by his behaviour and we never dreamt in a million years he could get involved in this. He has struggled with the shame of it all.”

Judge Frank O’Donnell said his “views on drug couriers are well known and fear is the most often trotted out excuse for non cooperation” but in light of Hickey having no previous convictions he remanded him on bail for sentencing next month.