Truck driver jailed for importing large quantity of cannabis at Dublin Port

A Cork man agreed to transport over €160,000 worth of cannabis as he was under financial pressure, a court has heard.

Jason Hunt, aged 31, of Woodlands, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork pleaded guilty to the importation of cannabis, at Dublin Port, on April 4, 2023.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a truck being driven by Mr Hunt was searched using a drugs detection dog at Dublin Port.

After the dog reacted, Hunt was asked what was in the truck and he replied “cannabis”. Two shopping bags, containing 8.1kg of cannabis with a value of €162,000, was found.

Mr Hunt was fully co-operative with Customs officials and gardai. During interview, he accepted bringing the cannabis into the country, saying that he was under financial pressure and needed extra money.

He said he knew he should not have done it, but wanted extra work and was promised €3,000.

Hunt has seven previous convictions, for minor offences including road traffic and simple possession of drugs.

The investigating garda agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that his client's previous conviction for possession of drugs was consistent with someone who has had issues with drugs.

He also accepted the defence's suggestion that Mr Hunt exercised “poor judgement” and found himself in a situation where he was asked and agreed to do something.

Mr Bowman said his client was using drugs and “became of use” to certain individuals. He said his client is someone with “vulnerabilities” which were then exploited by third parties.

Mr Hunt did not take up bail and has been in custody since April 2023. Mr Bowman said his client has been sober while in custody and is on an enhanced prisoner regime.

Defence counsel said his client accepts he was under financial pressure and made a decision that has had “catastrophic” consequences.

He asked the court to take into account his client's good work history and that he has suffered from depression and anxiety.

A letter of apology and other documents were handed to the court. Members of Hunt's family were in court to support him.

Mr Bowman asked the court to consider suspending a portion of the sentence to incentivise his client's continued rehabilitation.

Judge Martin Nolan said Mr Hunt had “succumbed to temptation” and made a “terrible misjudgement by transporting these drugs”.

He noted Mr Hunt's previous good work history and family support among the mitigating factors. Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of three years, backdated to when Mr Hunt entered custody.