Wednesday 28 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. 6007Drug trafficking (cocaine) · Co. Cork · 5 Aug 2023

Three men jailed for eight years over €4m cocaine found at Ringaskiddy port

Gardaí found 60 kilos of cocaine, valued at €4.2 million, hidden behind panelling in a refrigerated container at the Port of Cork's container terminal in Ringaskiddy, after a gang entered a haulier's yard around 2am on August 5th, 2023. Gentjan Dodaj (39), an Albanian man, Donatel Dodaj (22), an Albanian man, and Daniel Afedoaei (22), a Romanian man, were arrested at Dunkettle as they headed back to Athlone with the drugs. The three men pleaded guilty to possessing the cocaine for sale or supply, and on April 26th, 2024, Judge Jonathan Dunphy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court jailed all three for eight years. Their sentences were partly suspended, with the Dodaj brothers receiving nine years with the last 12 months suspended and Afedoaei receiving 9½ years with the last 18 months suspended and made consecutive to a four-year sentence for money laundering.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí found 60 kilos of cocaine in 1kg packs hidden behind panelling in a refrigerated container.
Where
The container was at the Port of Cork's container terminal at the deepwater berth in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
When
The gang entered the haulier's yard around 2am on August 5th, 2023 and accessed the container.
Investigation
  • Gardaí acted on confidential information and kept the container under surveillance for several days.
  • Two Apple AirTag tracking devices were placed in two of the cocaine packs, and the operation was captured on CCTV.
  • Undercover gardaí were also watching the three men throughout the period.
  • Gardaí arrested the three accused at Dunkettle as they were heading back to Athlone with the drugs.
Charges
The three men pleaded guilty to possessing €4.2 million of cocaine for sale or supply on August 5th, 2023.
In court
The case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Jonathan Dunphy.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of 13½ years for all three men and jailed them for eight years in total.
  • Both Dodaj brothers received nine years, with the last 12 months suspended in light of their previous good character and guilty pleas.
  • Afedoaei's sentence was 9½ years, reflecting a previous money laundering conviction, with the last 18 months suspended and made consecutive to a four-year sentence he is serving for money laundering.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí found 60 kilos of cocaine in 1kg packs hidden behind panelling in the container. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe cocaine was in a refrigerated container at the Port of Cork's container terminal in Ringaskiddy. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe gang entered the haulier's yard around 2am on August 5th, 2023 and accessed the container. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí acted on confidential information and kept the container under surveillance. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí kept the container under surveillance. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationTwo Apple Airtag tracking devices were placed in two of the cocaine packs. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe operation was captured on CCTV. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested the three accused at Dunkettle as they were heading back to Athlone with the drugs. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe three men pleaded guilty to possessing €4.2 million of cocaine for sale or supply on August 5th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge jailed all three men for eight years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 13½ years for all three men. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence for both Dodaj brothers was reduced to nine years because of their guilty pleas. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe last 12 months of the Dodaj brothers' sentences were suspended in light of their previous good character. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceAfedoaei's sentence was reduced to 9½ years, taking account of a previous money laundering conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe last 18 months of Afedoaei's sentence were suspended and made consecutive to a four-year sentence he is serving for money laundering. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Apr2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Drugs gang caught with over €4m of drugs which came through Ringaskiddy port jailed for eight years

    Sentencing report for three men who pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply; they were jailed for eight years and sentences were partly suspended.

    convicted, Gentjan Dodaj, 39, male, Albanian, named, non-irishGentjan Dodajconvicted, Donatel Dodaj, 22, male, Albanian, named, non-irishDonatel Dodajconvicted, Daniel Afedoaei, 22, male, Romanian, named, non-irishDaniel Afedoaei