Seven men who conspired to smuggle €59m of cocaine into West Cork get a combined 70 years

All sentences, ranging from eight years to 11 years, were backdated to when the men entered custody on March 14, 2024

The drug-trafficking operation was intercepted by Irish authorities in West Cork, and 10 men were arrested for conspiracy to import drugs. File picture: Andy Gibson

Seven men who pleaded guilty to involvement in a foiled drug-trafficking plot involving a specially modified narcoboat in West Cork last year have been sentenced to a combined 70 years in prison.

The sophisticated conspiracy involved international criminal cells, including Dutch, Iranian and Spanish nationals, Judge Karen O’Connor said at sentencing at the Special Criminal Court on Thursday.