Mayo man sold cocaine to fund his own habit
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A man sold cocaine to fund his drug habit.
Mark Keane, aged 26, of Murneen, Claremorris, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to possessing the drug for supply.
The court heard that Gardaí stopped Keane’s car at Station View, Kilitimagh, on January 22, 2022. He appeared nervous and evasive and a search was carried out. Four deal bags containing cocaine were found in a wallet on the passenger seat and a flask containing 28 deal bags of cocaine was found in the rear of the vehicle. The drugs had an estimated value of €1,990.
Barrister Diarmuid Connolly said his client is now drug-free and has disassociated himself from a negative peer group.
Mr Connolly said Keane is gainfully employed and is soon to become a father.
The court heard Keane had been selling cocaine in the Claremorris area for about a year in order to feed his own drug habit.
“To say he was caught red-handed is an understatement,” said Judge Eoin Garavan, adding that Keane was “relatively new to this horrible business” so he would give him a chance.
Judge Garavan imposed an 18-month suspended prison sentence.
