Community service order for cigarette smuggler

A Romanian man - who transported €235,000 of smuggled cigarettes is to carry out community service after a court heard he has no money to pay a fine.

Father-of-two Vladislav Secrii agreed to transport over 600,000 cigarettes for another man for €200, which included €50 for his vehicle's diesel.

The 35-year-old of Iona, Old Connaught Avenue in Bray pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to delivery of 606,500 cigarettes without a tax stamp at Cois Cairn estate, Old Connaught Avenue, Bray on June 26, 2012.

The court heard he has no previous convictions, is self employed and has very little income.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a community service order.