THE 23 year old son of jailed drugs baron, Tony Felloni, has been given six years on heroin dealing charges by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Cyril Kelly ordered that Luigi Felloni should be transferred to Coolmine Therapeutic Centre in March, 2000, when he will have served three and a half years.
Judge Kelly described Luigi Felloni's father as "a malign influence" who introduced his son to heroin when he was only 14.
Mr Niall Durnin, defending, said Felloni was now drug free and intended to remain so.
Felloni pleaded guilty to importing and possessing £25,000 worth of heroin for supply at Dublin Airport on May 22nd, 1995. He also pleaded guilty to further charges of possessing smaller amounts of heroin for supply at his flat in Dominick Street, Dublin, on June 22nd, 1995, and again on January 11th, 1996.
Judge Kelly sentenced him to consecutive terms of three and a half years for the airport offence, to 18 months for the June offence and one year on the January charge.
Det Sgt John O'Driscoll said Felloni took responsibility for the heroin imported at Dublin Airport. His house was searched on the two occasions as a result of further confidential information. Surveillance revealed a pattern of people calling and exchanges being made.
The heroin recovered in the raids in Dominick Street had values of £20 and £300 respectively. Cash, travellers' cheques, scales, spoons and other items associated with drugs were also recovered.
Det Sgt O'Driscoll agreed with Mr Durnin the importation was set up and funded by Felloni's father. Mr Durnin said the probation report revealed "a rather harrowing tale". Felloni was 10 when his father began a long sentence for drug supplying. His father became even more involved in the drugs trade when released and recruited his son.
Mr Durnin said his client was dominated by his father whom he feared. He made no monetary gain from his drugs involvement. All the money went to his father.
Judge Kelly said Felloni was the victim of a violent childhood in a dysfunctional, criminal family. His father served long sentences in prison and his mother also spent time in jail.
He said Felloni also served time in prison for petty crimes.
Judge Kelly said the objectives of sentencing were partly punitive but were also aspirational.
"I see no point in putting him in prison with his father and just throwing away the key. The court must and can now supervise him for a number of years," he added.
Felloni's co accused in the airport offence, Josephine Heery (18), of Thomas MacDonagh Tower, Ballymun, was given a three year sentence last May with a direction from Judge Kelly that she be released on October 1st last.
She had concealed the heroin wrapped in condoms in her body Felloni and Heery were intercepted at the airport by gardai acting on confidential information.
Judge Kelly is to hear an application on November 18th next concerning more than £8,000 in Irish pounds and sterling, and 211,000 pesetas in cash and travellers' cheques found in Felloni's residence.