Courts / Dublin / Report
Rwandan moves to appeal "inconsistent and illogical" drugs conviction
Summary
Charles Twesigye, a Rwandan national, was convicted in 2012 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of a section 15 offence for possessing drugs for sale or supply, but acquitted of a section 15a offence for possessing drugs worth more than €13,000. He received a 10‑year sentence with the final three years suspended, imposed by Judge Patricia Ryan on 31 January 2014. The conviction stemmed from a FedEx package addressed to "Mr Seán Kelly" that contained cocaine valued at over €142,000. Twesigye has now applied to the Court of Appeal to challenge the conviction, arguing that it is illogical and inconsistent to be acquitted of the higher‑value offence while being convicted of the lower‑value offence, given that the same drugs were involved. His barrister, Conor Devally SC, contended that the jury may have misunderstood the offence, and that procedural issues surrounding the timing of his arrest and subsequent detention could have affected the admissibility of evidence. Charles Twesigye pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rwandan moves to appeal "inconsistent and illogical" drugs conviction. Charges or matters: a section 15 offence of possessing drugs for sale or supply and a section 15a offence of possessing drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply on August 28 2012. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- August 28 2012 Incident
- January 31 2014 Incident
- May 1 Incident
- 2015-04-15 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: a section 15 offence of possessing drugs for sale or supply and a section 15a offence of possessing drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply on August 28 2012 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury of the section 15 offence but acquitted of the section 15a offence and was subsequently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Patricia Ryan on January 31 2014.
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