Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20368Illicit tobacco processing · Co. Louth · 15 Mar 2018

Illicit cigarette factory operator in north Louth given suspended sentence

A joint Garda and Revenue raid uncovered an illicit cigarette factory at Killin, Jenkinstown, north Louth, with a capacity to produce 3 million cigarettes a day and 23 million cigarettes in boxes on site. Vytautas Sakinis, a man aged 26, pleaded guilty on 15 March 2018 to being concerned with the processing of illicit tobacco products. He had responded to a job ad seen on a website in Lithuania, and his flight to Ireland was paid before he signed the contract. At Dundalk Circuit Court in July 2023, Sakinis was given a suspended sentence, while co-accused received custodial and suspended terms.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The illicit cigarette factory had the capacity to manufacture 3 million cigarettes a day, with a daily loss to the exchequer of €1.2 million.
  • Twenty-three million cigarettes were discovered in boxes at the site, and the production line had three machines to make cigarettes, put them in counterfeit Mayfair packs, and package and box them.
  • Eleven men were found in makeshift living quarters beside the production line, and a ladder was found leaning against a substantial quantity of hay bales.
Where
The factory was located at Killin, Jenkinstown, north Louth, and workers were briefly taken to accommodation in Drogheda before being taken to the factory.
When
The guilty plea was entered on 15 March 2018, and the sentencing took place at Dundalk Circuit Court in July 2023.
Investigation
A surveillance operation was put in place after authorities were notified of an illicit cigarette factory at an unknown location in Ireland, followed by a joint Garda and Revenue raid.
Charges
Vytautas Sakinis pleaded guilty to being concerned with the processing of illicit tobacco products.
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Sentence
Sakinis was given a suspended sentence, two co-accused received custodial sentences of 10 and 12 months, another received an 18-month suspended sentence, and seven others received 10-month suspended jail terms on leaving the State and not returning for more than three years.
Other details
  • Sakinis was 26 at the time, had an environmental engineering degree, had responded to a job ad seen on a website in Lithuania, and his flight to Ireland was paid for before he signed the contract.
  • The workers later returned to Lithuania by ferry.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe factory had the capacity to manufacture 3 million cigarettes a day. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe daily loss to the exchequer was €1.2 million. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA ladder was found leaning against a substantial quantity of hay bales at the site. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatEleven men were found in makeshift living quarters beside the production line. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe production line had three machines to make cigarettes, put them in counterfeit Mayfair packs, and package and box them. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatTwenty-three million cigarettes were discovered in boxes at the site. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe illicit cigarette factory was located at Killin, Jenkinstown, north Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereWorkers were briefly taken to accommodation in Drogheda before being taken to the factory. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe guilty plea was entered on 15 March 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationA surveillance operation was put in place after authorities were notified of an illicit cigarette factory at an unknown location in Ireland. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationA joint Garda and Revenue raid was carried out at the factory. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeVytautas Sakinis pleaded guilty to being concerned with the processing of illicit tobacco products. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceTwo co-accused were given custodial sentences of 10 and 12 months. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceAnother co-accused was given an 18-month suspended sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceSeven other co-accused were given 10-month suspended jail terms on leaving the State and not returning for more than three years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherSakinis was 26 at the time and had an environmental engineering degree. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherSakinis had responded to a job ad he had seen on a website in Lithuania. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherHis flight to Ireland was paid for before he signed the contract. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe workers later returned to Lithuania by ferry. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jul2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    An illicit cigarette factory in north Louth had the capacity to manufacture 3m cigarettes a day, court heard

    Reports the sentencing of Vytautas Sakinis at Dundalk Circuit Court for his role in an illicit cigarette factory in north Louth, including details of the factory's capacity, the joint Garda and Revenue raid, and the sentences imposed on co-accused.

    convicted, Vytautas Sakinis, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Vytautas Sakinis