Tipperary drug dealer has sentence almost doubled after DPP appeal

Accused had pleaded guilty at trial last October to possessing €647,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply and being in possession of €376,550

Court of Appeal found the five-and-a-half year sentence imposed on James Curtis, 51, of Reiska, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co Tipperary, was 'not an appropriate one and a significantly more severe sentence was required'.

The Court of Appeal has almost doubled the sentence handed to an "upper echelon" gang member who was caught red-handed with over €1m in cash and drugs, including 5kg of cocaine in a potato bag.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had appealed the sentence on the grounds that it was too lenient.