Three women from Cork who drove to Dublin on 'a day out' to collect €140,000 worth of cannabis have been jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Nicola Duggan from Dublin Street in Blackpool, Vivienne O'Donovan from Farranferris Green in Farranree, and Niamh Tracey from Fairhill Drive in Fairhill, all 27, were caught by gardaí when they got lost on the way home.
They were described by Judge Frank O'Donnell as naïve, stupid and foolish.
The three pleaded guilty to possessing 20kg of cannabis resin for sale or supply on 11 March 2005.
They collected the drugs in Dublin city centre but got lost on the way home and were stopped near Dublin Airport by gardaí who found the cannabis in the boot of the car.
Nicola Duggan admitted she had organised the run and had asked Vivienne O'Donovan to get involved because she had a car. Niamh Tracey said she had come along 'for the drive' but knew they were picking up drugs.
The court heard the women were expecting a small financial reward but did not know the value or quantity of the drugs.
Nicola Duggan was sentenced to five years in prison, Vivienne O'Donovan was sentenced to four years, and Niamh Tracey was sentenced to three years.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said they were not the classic vulnerable people deprived of options who act as drug couriers.
He said they had options but took the wrong one.
