Court reserves Wharrie judgment

THE Court of Criminal Appeal has reserved judgment on an appeal by Englishman Perry Wharrie over his conviction for his part in smuggling €440m worth of cocaine off the West Cork coast.

Mr Wharrie (56) from Loughton in Essex was found guilty by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court after a 42-day trial in 2008 where he received a 30-year prison sentence for his role in the failed attempt to smuggle the drugs at Dunlough Bay, near Mizen Head on July 2nd 2007. 

The sentence was the longest ever handed down in the State for a drugs conviction but his sentence was later reduced to 17-and-a-half years following an appeal.

In his appeal, Mr Wharrie claims he should not have been convicted for sale or supply because the drugs were not destined for this country (Ireland). 

Mr Wharrie is now asking the Court of Appeal to certify a fresh appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing an important point of law arises in his case.

Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal reserved judgment on his application.