ONE of Dublin's most notorious heroin dealers has started the longest prison sentence for drug offences handed down by an Irish court.
Tony Felloni (53) was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Court yesterday to 20 years for a series of offences, including possession of heroin worth more than £150,000.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, said the length of the sentence would be an indication to drug traffickers of the seriousness of their crime.
It highlighted the fact that "our laws do allow for much more serious sentences than have been handed down".
Residents' associations hailed the court's "historic decision" while several TDs said the case showed the need for a change in the bail laws.
Felloni was repeatedly granted bail in the past three years and used his freedom to continue his heroin business, until the gardai persuaded a judge that he was about to leave the State.
The court heard yesterday that Felloni was addicted to smoking heroin and is suffering from "a serious illness". He has 26 previous convictions. In 1993 he left jail after serving seven years of a 10 year sentence.
Felloni set up anew drug operation which gardai investigated.
The investigation, called Operation Pizza, resulted in his arrest and charges of drug offences on four occasions. He was released on bail each time.
Mr Eric Byrne, TD, of Democratic Left, said the Government was working to widen the grounds for refusing bail.
Fianna Fail Justice spokesman Mr John O'Donoghue said the bail laws were "archaic and the most liberal in the world".
The law allows for refusal of bail only when a court is convinced a defendant might interfere with witnesses or abscond.