A man believed to be Ireland's oldest drug mule is facing jail after his 10 year suspended sentence was quashed by the Court of Appeal for being too lenient.
Edward Rooney (65) of Ballinacorribeg, Roundwood in Co Wicklow and his co-accused Des Ryan (54) of Belfield Springs, Enniscorthy in Co Wexford were caught in a €1.2m heroin bust.
They were described in the Circuit Court as 'puppets on a string' for a drugs operation and as a result they walked away with 10 year suspended sentences.
Mr Rooney and Mr Ryan were caught in a garda sting after handing over a holdall containing heroin and cocaine in the car park of a pub in Finglas in April 2012.
Usually the sale and supply of drugs at this level results in a statutory minimum sentence of 10 years in jail.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (SPP) challenged the undue leniency of the men's sentences and has won.
That means despite the men's previous good records, at the ages of 65 and 54 they could be facing a stint in jail.
The court will decide early next year what new penalties to impose.
