Former garda remanded in perversion of justice

A former garda who perverted the course of justice on two occasions and admitted having cocaine for sale or supply has been remanded in custody for sentencing at a later date.

Stephen Cooper, aged 29, allowed a friend take the blame when gardaí found LSD during a search at Electric Picnic.

Detective Garda Stephen Courage told Seán Gillane, prosecuting, that Cooper and his friends, Niall Wolfe and Luke Barnett, were at the music festival in Stradbally, Co Laois, on September 5, 2009.

Mr Wolfe was collecting drink from a car parked outside of the festival grounds and Cooper rang him from inside the festival security perimeter and asked him to bring Cooper’s wallet into the festival.

When gardaí stopped and searched Mr Wolfe, they found the wallet contained LSD.

Mr Wolfe rang Cooper who became agitated and Mr Barnett, who knew Cooper was a recreational drug user, agreed to “take the wrap”.

Mr Barnett was prosecuted for possession of a controlled drug. He pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court and was ordered to pay €300 to the poor box.

Cooper of Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice between September 5, 2009 and September 2, 2010 by knowingly allowing Mr Barnett to be wrongfully prosecuted on September 2, 2010. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Judge Mary Ellen Ring remanded Cooper in custody and adjourned the matter until April 2.

Cooper also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice between August 19, 2010, and October 21, 2011 when he attempted to get Stephanie Lynch to make a false statement implicating Wayne Finane in the theft of a car. He also pleaded guilty to deception of Axa Insurance on November 12, 2010 by making a false insurance claim.

Isobel Kennedy, defending, said Cooper’s behaviour stemmed from a drug problem. She said Cooper is now drug-free, is married, and has set up his own business.