Man found with €440,000 worth of cocaine, awaits sentence

A 39-year-old father of five who was found with cocaine valued at €440,000 at his home will be sentenced later by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Rory Lyons, of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to possession of seven kilos of cocaine for sale or supply at that address on September 21, 2004.

Sergeant Michael Kennedy told Luan O Braonain BL, prosecuting, that gardaí received information that equipment associated with the drugs trade was seen being carried onto Lyons’ property.

Gardaí went to his address the following day with a search warrant and saw Lyons in his back garden beside buckets of the white powder "Manatol" which is commonly used as a mixing agent in the preparation of cocaine for sale.

Lyons was wearing latex gloves which he removed as gardaí jumped over the garden wall and began a search of the house. Seven kilos of cocaine were found in the shed as well as a vacuum compressor and weighing scales.

Felix McEnroy SC, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and was addicted to cocaine and alcohol.

Mr McEnroy said Lyons had run up a debt to a "very serious individual" who was connected to "very serious criminal activity" but had since been shot dead. Lyons was said to have considered his life to be in danger from this individual.

Sgt Kennedy agreed with Mr McEnroy that Lyons would have been seen as a "safe pair of hands" and had not been on the "garda radar".

Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentencing to a date later this month.