Éamonn Donnellan, from Culkeen, Cloonfad, Co Roscommon,took action against Greece after he was stopped at the Greek port of Patras in July 2002. A search of the truck’s cargo revealed 176,000 packs of contraband cigarettes as well as his stated cargo of olive oil, destined for a supermarket chain in Ireland. Within three days, Donnellan, then aged 23, was brought before a court in Greece without any legal representation and sentenced to 3½ years on smuggling charges.

Donnellan, at the time, believed he was transporting olive oil for his employers to Ireland and maintained his innocence of the charges. An Irish campaign began and sought his release on the grounds he was innocent and had not received a fair trial. As a result his conviction was repealed and he was freed after four months in jail. He states he heard nothing of the matter until November 2013 when he was notified that he owed Greek authorities €1.5 million – a demand he disputes.