The Director of Public Prosecutions v Zanas Jakonis

Date

12 November 2024

Venue

Dundalk Circuit Court

Judge

Judge Dara Hayes

Summary

Previously on 9 April 2024 at Dundalk Circuit Court, Zanas Jakonis of 30 Maple Close, Avenue Road, Dundalk, County Louth pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Keep for sale or delivery specified tobacco products, to wit, 100,000 cigarettes and 20 kilos of fine cut tobacco for the rolling of cigarettes, otherwise than in a pack or packs to which a tax stamp, by means of which Tobacco Products Tax at the appropriate rate has been levied or paid in respect of such tobacco products, is affixed to each such pack in the prescribed manner, contrary to section 78(3) and (5) of the Finance Act 2005, as amended. The estimated value of the goods concerned is €94,125.36.

• The evasion of a duty of excise on excisable products, to wit, 100,000 cigarettes and 20 kilos of fine cut tobacco for the rolling of cigarettes, in respect of which a duty of excise was for the time being payable, with intent to defraud either directly or indirectly the State of such duty, contrary to section 119 (2) and (3) of the Finance Act, 2001, as amended. The estimated value of the goods concerned is €94,125.36.

Outcome

Judge Hayes imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of two years imprisonment.