Roofer has sentence suspended for heroin possession

A former roofer has been given a three-year suspended sentence by Judge Frank O’Donnell in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing heroin valued €6,000 in March of last year.

Brian Kearney (aged 35), a father of three, of Cromcastle Court, Coolock lost his job and became a heroin abuser after his friend committed suicide some years ago.

Kearney told gardaí he had money difficulties and was to be paid €200 for transporting the one ounce of heroin by taxi to Coolock on March 19, 2007.

Garda Tracy Robinson agreed with defence counsel, Ms Roisin Lacey BL, that Kearney was hospitalised with a fractured right eye socket from an assault by drugs criminals arising out of the loss of the heroin.

Gda Robinson told prosecuting counsel, Ms Lisa Dempsey BL, she had set up surveillance at a bus stop on Kilbarrack Road and saw Kearney pass by in a taxi.

She then alerted two colleagues in an unmarked garda car, further down the road, who stopped the taxi and told Kearney to get out. He handed over a blue crisp wrapper containing a plastic heroin bag.

Gda Robinson said Kearney admitted knowing he carried an ounce of heroin but thought the value was around €1,100 and felt "stupid" for what he had done.

Gda Robinson agreed with Ms Lacey that Kearney had no previous convictions and had not come to further garda attention.

Judge O’Donnell suspended the term on condition that Kearney be of good behaviour for four years and liaise with the probation service for 12 months.