Court rejects sentence too 'difficult' claim by Kilkenny man caught with €1.7million of cocaine and three guns

The Court of Appeal has rejected an argument by a drug dealer caught with €1.7million of cocaine and three firearms in his home that 10 years in prison is going to be too difficult for him due to his psychological issues.  

Saying that it was clear the sentencing judge had been aware of the “considerable personal circumstances” of Paul Bourke (57), Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy ruled that the court was rejecting the appellant’s appeal against his ten-year sentence.  

Bourke pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts relating to the possession of cocaine for sale or supply, the possession of €18,100 in cash which was the proceeds of crime and the possession of three Glock 17 pistols, all on November 3, 2023.  

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CRIME UPDATES AND COURT REPORTS

The offences took place in various locations including Bourke's home address at Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, at an address at Ballygall Parade in Finglas, Co. Dublin, and at addresses in Tallaght, Co. Dublin and Ashbourne, Co Meath.  

The sentencing court heard that when Bourke was arrested in Finglas, his van was found to contain €18,100 of cash. His Kilkenny home was then searched, where cocaine with a street value of €1,776,207 was discovered in an outhouse on the property. Three Glock 17 semi-automatic pistols were also discovered in a box, along with cannabis amounting to €19,000, the court heard. Drug paraphernalia including a pressing machine was also found at the scene.  Click NEXT (the purple/ white arrows) to continue reading the court report and the judge's ruling in this appeal.