65-year-old drug mule facing jail sentence

A man believed to be Ireland's oldest drugs mule is facing jail after his 10 year suspended sentence was quashed by the Court of Appeal for being too lenient.

65-year-old Edward Rooney of Ballinacorribeg, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow and his 54-year-old co-accused Des Ryan of Belfield Springs, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, were caught in a €1.2 million heroin bust.

They were described in the Circuit Court as "puppets on a string" for a €1.25m drugs operation and as a result they walked away with 10-year suspended sentences.

They were caught in a garda sting after handing over a holdall containing heroin - and a smaller amount of cocaine - in the car park of a pub in Finglas in April 2012.

Usually the sale and supply of drugs at this level results in a statutory minimum sentence of ten years in jail.

The DPP challenged the undue leniency of the men's sentences and has won.

That means despite the men's previous good records, at the ages of 65 and 54 they could be facing a stint in jail when the court decides early next year what new penalties to impose.