Man jailed for two years for cocaine possession

A man who turned to drugs after seeing his father fall to his death from a cliff has been jailed for two years for possession of cocaine found when gardaí assisted him with a broken down motorcycle.

Justin O’Callaghan (aged 26) of Eagle Park, Coolock pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Raheny Road and at his home on May 3, 2006.

Ms Aileen Donnelly SC, defending, told Judge Martin Nolan that O’Callaghan was present when his father "died in tragic circumstances from a cliff" and at age 18 began taking drugs as a way to cope with his grief.

Judge Martin Nolan imposed a sentence of two years imprisonment noting that O’Callaghan, who has 16 previous convictions, received a two year suspended sentence in 2005 for possession of €2,000 of cocaine.

Garda Alan Gallagher told Mr Fergal Foley BL, prosecuting, that cocaine valued at €6,000 was found when gardaí stopped to help O’Callaghan who was pushing his broken down motorcycle along Raheny Road. A further €6,510 of cocaine was found during a later search of his home.

Ms Donnelly said O’Callaghan had been in regular employment but was sucked into debt due to his drug use and got involved in this offence. She said he had faced up to the matter and appealed for leniency.