Two Irishmen who were jailed for 12 years each for their part in the largest drug-smuggling operation ever uncovered in Europe have had their sentences cut by four years.
Michael Howard of Knocktoran, Elton, Co Limerick and Morgan McGrath of Beansha, Emly, Co Tipperary pleaded guilty before Monaghan Circuit Court last October to charges of conspiring to import drugs with an estimated street value of €22.5 million into the country between August 1st and 31st, 2002.
The charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act related to an attempt to import 591,180 ecstasy tablets; 602,000 temazepan tablets; 132 kilos of amphetamine; 48 kilos of heroin and 198 kilos of cannabis resin.
At the Court of Criminal Appeal today Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns cut the sentences, agreeing with counsel that the Circuit Court judge had made an error of principle in sentencing the two men.
There had also been extenuating and mitigating factors. There had been many testimonials on their behalf, they had no previous convictions and it was accepted they were in the lower ranks of the drugs gang and in difficult financial circumstances.
The men had their sentences reduced to eight years.