A new report published by the courts service has revealed that cocaine and heroin are involved in seven out of 10 serious drugs cases heard.

The research by the Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) showed that cocaine was involved in 45 per cent of cases, while heroin accounted for 25 per cent of incidences.

In serious cases of possession, sale or importation of drugs, just less than a quarter of offenders get the ‘presumed minimum’ of 10 years or more. Almost half get between five and 10 years, while 18 per cent receive between two- and five-year terms......