The Director of Public Prosecutions v Zoran Hurtic

Date:

22 January 2026

Venue: 

Western Circuit Court 

Judge:

His Honour Judge Brian O’Callaghan

Summary:

Previously on 29 April 2025, at Western Circuit Court, Zoran Hurtic of 99 Grattan Park, Salthill, Galway, County Galway pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Keep for sale or delivery specified tobacco products, to wit, 70,540 cigarettes and 9.85 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 €59,997.25.

•  The evasion of a duty of excise on excisable products, to wit, 70,540 cigarettes and 9.85 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 €59,997.25.

Outcome:

On 22 January 2026, Judge O’Callaghan imposed a sentence of two years and six months imprisonment, suspended in full for four years, in respect of both offences. Mr Hurtic was also ordered to pay €2,500 to the Simon Community Galway within six months.