Courts / Dublin / Report

"Particularly vulnerable" man to be sentenced for having khat at airport

Summary

Shire Ali, a 41‑year‑old Somalian with a brain injury, will be sentenced for bringing 38.3 kg of khat into Dublin Airport from Kenya. He travelled to Africa believing it was a holiday, but was returned to Sweden after two days with the drugs. Khat, a north‑African plant with amphetamine‑like effects, was outlawed in Ireland in 2014. Ali pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 24 June 2016 for possession of khat at Terminal Two. He had no fixed abode, no previous convictions, and was in custody since his arrest. Customs stopped him while transiting from Nairobi to Glasgow; his suitcases were searched and the drug was found. He claimed he was given the bags by a man in Kenya and did not realise he was carrying khat. He had no money on him. Prosecutor Dara Hayes noted three similar cases with similar itineraries.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Particularly vulnerable" man to be sentenced for having khat at airport. Charges or matters: possession of khat at Terminal Two in Dublin Airport on June 24, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 24, 2016 Incident
• 2016-11-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Airport Incidents Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report