Fergus ODonnell

The appellants appealed their convictions for conspiracy to import drugs, importing, and attempted possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals against the conspiracy and importation convictions, finding sufficient evidence to support the trial judge's conclusions and rejecting arguments regarding the misuse of disclosure and directed verdicts.

However, the Court applied the Kienapple rule to stay the convictions for attempted possession for the purpose of trafficking, as a single act underlay the multiple charges.

The appellant appealed his conviction for attempted possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The Court of Appeal found the verdict unreasonable because the trial judge's reasons indicated the appellant only acted to aid the co-accused after the co-accused had already abandoned the attempt to take possession of the drugs.

The appeal was allowed and an acquittal entered.

The appellant was convicted by a jury of importing cocaine and hashish and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

He appealed both his conviction and sentence.

On the conviction appeal, he argued the trial judge misapprehended the evidence, improperly turned the trial into a credibility contest, and failed to properly answer a jury question regarding reasonable doubt.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the conviction appeal, finding no errors in the jury charge or the recharge on reasonable doubt.

The sentence appeal was also dismissed, as the seven-year sentence for importing 2.13 kilograms of cocaine and 1 kilogram of hashish was not demonstrably unfit.