Friday 30 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. 15508Importation and possession with intent to supply cannabis · Co. Clare · 7 Apr 2024

Portuguese woman jailed over cannabis haul at Shannon Airport

Maria Lucilia Martins, a 60-year-old Portuguese woman, was found with cannabis with an estimated street value of €479,245 at Shannon Airport, County Clare, on 7 April 2024, after arriving on a flight from Faro, Portugal. She pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or supply cannabis and to importation of cannabis. Reports dated 12 November 2024 say Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 40-month prison term at Ennis Circuit Court, reduced from a headline sentence of 80 months and backdated to 8 April 2024. The 40-month sentence is the latest development in the case.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Customs at Shannon Airport found cannabis with an estimated street value of €479,245.
  • The cannabis was found in suitcases containing vacuum-packed cannabis herb and cannabis resin.
Where
The cannabis was found at Shannon Airport in County Clare.
When
  • The cannabis was found on 7 April 2024.
  • Reports of the sentence are dated 12 November 2024.
Investigation
A Customs officer at Shannon Airport found the suitcases containing the cannabis.
Other details
  • Martins had just arrived at Shannon on a flight from Faro, Portugal.
  • Maria Lucilia Martins is a 60-year-old Portuguese woman from Lisbon, Portugal, with no previous convictions.
Charges
Martins pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or supply cannabis and to importation of cannabis at Shannon Airport on the same date.
In court
Judge Francis Comerford imposed the sentence at Ennis Circuit Court.
Cause
The judge said there was no suggestion of any motive other than profit.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of 80 months and reduced it to 40 months for her early guilty plea, previous good character and age.
  • The 40-month term was backdated to 8 April 2024.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCustoms at Shannon Airport found cannabis with an estimated street value of €479,245. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis was found at Shannon Airport. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe cannabis was found at Shannon Airport on 7 April. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe cannabis was found on April 7. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeThe judge said there was no suggestion of any motive other than profit. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationA customs officer found suitcases containing vacuum-packed cannabis herb and cannabis resin. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationA Customs officer at Shannon Airport found the suitcases containing cannabis herb and cannabis resin. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeShe pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or supply cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeShe also pleaded guilty to importation of cannabis. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeMartins pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or supply cannabis at Shannon Airport. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeMartins also pleaded guilty to importation of cannabis at the same location and date. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford imposed the sentence at Ennis Circuit Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the headline sentence was 80 months. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the term to 40 months, taking into account her early guilty plea, previous good character and age. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe 40-month term was backdated to 8 April. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence was 80 months, reduced to 40 months. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the sentence for her early guilty plea, previous good character and age. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceThe 40-month term was backdated to April 8. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherShe had just arrived at Shannon from a flight from Faro, Portugal. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherShe has no previous convictions. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe court said there was no suggestion of any motive other than profit. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMartins has no previous convictions. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Nov2024
    Sentencedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    60-year-old woman jailed over close to €500,000 drugs haul at Shannon Airport

    Reports the sentencing of Maria Lucilia Martins at Ennis Circuit Court, with the judge's reasons, the headline sentence and the backdating of the term.

    convicted, Maria Lucilia Martins, 60, female, Portuguese, named, non-irishMaria Lucilia Martins
  2. 12 Nov2024
    Sentencedclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Portuguese drug mule found with cannabis worth €479k at Shannon Airport jailed for 40 months - Clare Echo

    Reports the sentencing: Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 40-month prison term (headline sentence 80 months), backdated to 8 April 2024, after guilty pleas to possession with intent to supply and importation.

    convicted, Maria Lucilia Martins, 60, female, Portuguese, named, non-irishMaria Lucilia Martins