Judge imposes 'significant deterrent' as €42m cocaine smugglers jailed

Seven men were given prison sentences of between 10-and-a-half years and 12 years

The Special Criminal Court has jailed seven cocaine smugglers for importing an estimated €42m worth of cocaine. File picture

The Special Criminal Court has jailed seven cocaine smugglers for terms of between 10-and-a-half years and 12 years, with the presiding judge saying she must impose a "significant deterrent" to international criminal operations that use Ireland's coastline to import drugs, causing immeasurable damage.

Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, at the three-judge court, said each of the seven had travelled to Ireland to participate in serious criminality, providing their individual skills for the illegal operation that ended in the successful importation of an estimated €42 million worth of cocaine.