During the sentencing hearing, Judge Mary Ellen Ring asked the prosecuting counsel to explain to the class from Tallaght Community School, Dublin, how the men’s drug habit had led to them being forced to transport the drugs.
Judge Ring imposed a seven-year sentence on each of the men but suspended five years on condition they visit a school or youth group at least once a year for five years to give a talk on the dangers of drug abuse.
Brian Kavanagh (27) of St Mochta’s Green, Clonsilla, and Peter Murray (27) of Belgree Heights, Tyrellstown, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession for sale or supply of over 10kg of heroin on August 16th, 2011, at a petrol station on the N7.
Judge Ring noted that the schoolchildren had heard in court how both men were casual users of cocaine and cannabis but that this led to them running up drug debts and being forced to transport the heroin.